Jay Jay Okocha Debuts in Animated Series

Nigerian football legend, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, is set to make his debut on screen long after he exited the soccer stage.

The first of its kind TV series animated TV series, package by global television shows-screening platform, Showmax, will soon be unveiled for the global audience. 

Aptly titled Jay Jay: The Chosen One, the 13-epidode series captures his childhood in Nigeria, and is voiced by a selection of Nigerian acting cast led by Prince Unigwe, who also plays the hugely talented Jay Jay. 

Soccernet reports that the first of its kind series for Showmax is an exciting subject for the Nigerian football star who feels nostalgic about reliving his childhood days again on animation. 

The series relives the life of 11 year-old Okocha, then known simply as Augustine, a lad who dreams of playing football with his rag-tag group of friends.

The series also depicts young Jay Jay as having a passion for the animal kingdom besides football, following which he waged a war against illegal poaching from which he received superpowers. 

Meanwhile, Okocha is full of appreciation for Showmax and its production crew for making the animation series a reality. He is of the view that the series will inspire young lads to dream more of activating their passion as he did with football. 

“I’m honoured to have an animated series that reimagines my childhood,” Okocha said, as per Deadline.

“Jay Jay: The Chosen One, is going to bring back good childhood memories as well as inspire young children who have dreams to be football players. I’m excited about the show and grateful to Showmax and the production team who worked hard to bring it to life.”

Okocha, an absolute beauty to watch in his playing days, plied his professional career over Africa, Europe and America.

Arguably one of Nigeria's most outstanding football international, he featured in a number of the country World Cup appearances, Olympic and Cup of Nations, garnering an impressive 73 appearances in all. 

At Club level, Okocha had spells in Fenerbahce, Turkey, PSG, France and Bolton Wanderers, in the English Premier League where he was top favorite for his then manager.

Okocha also plied his trade in Germany and Qatar before hanging his playing boots with Hull City in the UK in 2008.