WORDS BY WAIRIMU NYATHIRA, EDITOR
Augustine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, the Nigerian football legend, who played attacking midfielder openly acknowledges his preference for watching English Premier League matches over local league ties in his homeland. He cites the allure and presentation as the primary reason for his choice.
The former Bolton Wanderers and Paris St Germain (PSG) player is in the country for the EPL trophy tour. ‘Twende London na Castrol’ is a campaign launched by RUBiS Energy Kenya together with the Premier League. The highlight of the Premier League Trophy event will be its public viewing on Saturday 2nd September 2023, at the Carnivore Grounds. Welcoming fans from 9:00 AM. The venue will remain accessible to football enthusiasts until 4:00 PM.
The promotion will see lucky participants have the chance to clinch the ultimate prize: an all-inclusive trip to witness a top-tier Premier League game in London. This once-in-a-lifetime reward will include an unforgettable behind-the-scenes tour of the Stadium, with a chance to see the Club dressing rooms, player’s tunnel, pitch side, and much more.
Okacha, speaking on Friday at the official launch of the EPL Trophy Tour at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, highlighted one of the reasons locals attend matches in stadiums is because of the attractiveness of the league. He emphasized the importance of unlearning our old football way of doing business and called for organizations, to start presenting well-packaged ideas and making a compelling case to attract sponsors.
When asked about the GOAT debate Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo he didn’t shy away from the debate
“I think both of them rightly deserve to be GOATs (greatest of all times) but I prefer Messi. As for me…I mean…Cristiano Ronaldo is typical of what you can achieve with hard work but for Messi, everything comes naturally…and he works hard as well,” he said.
Reflecting on his debut for the national team in 1994 against Ivory Coast, Okacha recalled the lack of proper preparations, with players being sent to bring home the cup. He even questioned whether they should resort to stealing the cup.
Not all was lost as his favorite and most memorable moment in his career was when the Super Eagles in 1996 defying all odds, the young but experienced Nigerian squad achieved the unimaginable and changed African football by claiming the Gold medals beating Argentina 3-2
Ed Savage, Country Manager of Castrol Kenya commented “Football, much like Castrol, is
driven by passion, precision, and performance.
Also speaking at the launch, was RUBiS Energy Kenya Group MD, Mr. Jean-Christian Bergeron
who highlighted their support for Kibera Black Stars as part of their CRS which is in line with their goals and objectives to supporting sports development.
