'My dream was just to be known,' he confessed during a recent interview on the Long Form podcast, revealing a passion for recognition over riches that propelled him from Lagos streets to European stadiums.
In a candid conversation on the sidelines of the SportsBiz Africa Forum recently held in Kigali, where he featured as a keynote speaker and panellist, the African football legend shared insights on his improbable rise, the weight of fame, the financial savvy that secured his future, and his concerns about the fading flair of African football.
From Nigerian streets to European pitches
Okocha's path to football immortality was far from scripted. In 1990, at just 17, he arrived in Germany on a visiting visa, not as a scouted prodigy but as an opportunist seizing his brother's trial opportunity at a third-division club.
This marked the start of a career that would dazzle at Eintracht Frankfurt, PSG, and Bolton Wanderers.
Facing language barriers, cultural shock, and even racism, Okocha leaned on his dream to 'eradicate poverty in my family, my community.'
'My challenges were off the pitch,' he admitted, but his distinctive style, African flair fused with a relentless work ethic, won over sceptics in Germany's disciplined football landscape.
'I needed an identity,' he said, determined to represent Africa uniquely.
Navigating fame and financial responsibility
Okocha's flair found a home in the English Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, where he became a cult hero. Despite offers from top-four clubs, he stayed, drawn by the fans' passion and the challenge of elevating a smaller team.
'I felt wanted,' he said, recalling how his presence helped Bolton reach mid-table and compete in Europe. 'One fan approached me and said, 'Thank you. You've put Bolton on a European map that I never thought would happen.''
Financially, Okocha was wise beyond his years. His first contract, a modest 5,000 Deutschmarks in 1991, was saved, not squandered.
'You can't wash away poverty with champagne,' he remarked, rejecting the urge to splurge.
With no pension for athletes, in what he described as 'you are basically your own government,' he invested solely in property to ensure stability after retirement.
'My contract money is for investment,' he explained. 'Match bonuses, endorsementsâ€"that's enough for nice cars, watches, travel with the wife.'
Okocha also tackled the 'black tax,' the cultural expectation to support extended family. He made dependents part of his budget but set firm boundaries.
'You make it clear they have a limited time,' he said. 'You're trying to set them up, and they have to make it count.'
By buying houses and paying school fees, he secured their futures while safeguarding his own.
'I can't suffer because you decide not to be responsible,' he stressed.
Highs and lows of a storied career
Okocha's career peaked with Nigeria's gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, a historic first for an African football team. The triumph came despite chaotic preparations, with unpaid buses and repetitive meals of rice and chicken sauce.
'We had to pay for accommodation,' he recalled, highlighting the team's grit. Conversely, relegation with Frankfurt in 1996 and Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup were his lowest moments.
'I felt bad,' he said of Frankfurt, blaming a manager who 'destroyed the team.' The World Cup miss in Germany, where he had first made his name, stung deeply.
Future of African football
Okocha voiced concern over African football's fading flair, as players increasingly mimic European styles.
'We are losing our identity,' he warned. 'We are trying to play like Europeans, and we can't beat them at their game.'
He attributed this to structured coaching that stifles the street-bred creativity of his era, when he and peers like Rashidi Yekini played for love, not just results.
'We were free,' he said, lamenting the shift toward predictable, pass-heavy play.
To revitalise African sports, Okocha called for better governance, with former athletes in leadership roles.
'No one will understand how an athlete feels except if you've been an athlete,' he argued, criticising the appointment of unqualified figures as 'political settlements.'
He also urged for investment-friendly structures, noting that unappealing leagues deter funding.
'If the league is not interesting, you can't get value for your money,' he said.
During the interview, Okocha also hailed Rwanda's progress as a model for Africa, praising its leadership and ambition.
'Rwanda can be used as an example of what one can achieve if you have a good leader and citizens willing to follow,' he said, urging Nigeria to adopt its focus on implementation.
For young Rwandans and aspiring athletes, Okocha's advice was clear: 'Dreams do come true. There's no limit to what you can achieve if you believe, but it will never be rosy.'
He emphasised discipline and resilience, urging them to embrace challenges and take risks. 'Don't be scared of trying,' he said, 'because a foolish doer will always do a great thinker.'
Watch the full video below:
Wycliffe Nyamasege
