Austin Okocha promotes Bundesliga, says his conduct abroad was advert for Nigeria

One of the pay TVs in Nigeria, StarTimes recently signed Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha as brand ambassador to promote German league,  Bundesliga in Nigeria. Okocha is also involved in StarTimes -organised  Bundesliga Legends Tour which  is a continuation of the journey that  started more than twelve months ago when StarTimes signed the exclusive broadcast right of the Bundesliga for five years in Nigeria.  In an interview with BusinessDay  at the unveiling of the Bundesliga Legends Tour,  Okocha, the celebrated player  commended the pay TV for showcasing the German league to Nigerian viewers.  He rated Bundesliga high in terms of tactical and   technical approach and discipline. Speaking on how players could also promote Nigeria as a brand, Jay Jay who also played in Turkey, EPL and Franc leagues said his lifestyle and behavior while playing abroad was sort of advertisement  for Nigeria. Excerpts

Today you are representing StarTimes to promote Bundesliga, what does this mean to you?

It means a lot to me because Bundesliga is a league that made me and promoted me. Now that StarTimes is bringing the league to our people at affordable rate, what intrigued me is that StarTimes is reaching out to many Nigerians.  It would give Nigerians more viewing options. Over time Nigerians have been addicted to EPL, but this new development will create awareness about Bundesliga which is a top league.

What other values do you think the StarTimes partnership with Bundesliga would bring to Nigerians?

It would bring unity. We know that once football is played we forget our cultural differences and socio-economic depression in the country.

When you were playing in foreign land, how did you promote Nigeria as a brand?

I used all I got to show that Nigerians got talent and are disciplined. I believe in changing people and not changing who I am. I believe strongly in our culture and it is all about channeling it the right way and showing to people in the right way and right manner and letting them know that inasmuch as they think that Africa is a poor continent, we have something good in the continent. For me, I was an Advert for Africa and Nigerian and that is why I stuck to my kind of game.  For the other players, I always say that they should not forget their identity especially as it could be an advantage for them. Bundesliga has the platform to make great and professional players. If players can succeed in Bundesliga, they can succeed in other leagues.

Could you briefly share how your football career started?

It is obvious that I started my professional career in Germany and grew my career there. It was a coincidence because I was never scouted by anybody. I went on a visit when Germany just won the World Cup in 1990. My cousin I visited had a friend who was playing for of the German clubs and one day this friend of my cousin was going to training and I followed him to the training. Fortunately I always had my football kits with me as I was interested in football. I went to the coach and asked if I could train with them. He obliged and the rest is history. During my days, it was all about schooling schooling but I chose to pursue a career in football.

Your dribbling abilities were great in Bundesliga, what is the secret?

The secret is basically the street. I didn’t go to any football academy. We were in the streets playing the football because of the love for the game and because there was nothing like a play station. All we had was football and any space we could find, no trainer, no manager, no football shoes and no jersies. We were just in the streets slugging it out and trying new things with the ball. Nobody shouted at us if we make mistakes. We were our own coaches and we tried to improve on our tactics of what we can do with the ball and for me that was where experience came from.

What would you say is your first experience and how would you describe your first goal in Bundesliga?

When I started initially, I signed three years deal with a club in Germany. It was one year amateur contract and two years professional contract. The whole idea was to train one year with the team and graduate from there. But it happened that at  a point some players were injured and I was invited to play friendly with the team just to complete the number. In the friendly I was in the bench for the first half but in the second half of the game I got a chance to feature. I impressed the manager that he has to arrange another friendly and the coach chose me to start the game. After the game, the manager said that I don’t need to train with the second team anymore, but the first team. Subsequently I was selected to play league match against a team in Bremen. At that  time, it dawned on me that this is the opportunity I have been waiting for, it is either I take it or go back home. But I knew that I was good enough to take that opportunity as I was mentally strong for it.  That is how my professional career started because after the game I never went back to the second team.

Would you say that the Bundesliga is more competitive than EPL?

Both are competitive but for me Bundesliga is more competitive. Then they never used to broadcast Bundesliga in Nigeria and Nigerians were addicted to EPL. It is not a fluke that Germany is the current World Cup Champion and it has  about 14 players that played in the World Cup still playing in the league. This shows how strong the league is. The country’s youth development programme is second to none and the amount of investment the country puts in youth team is amazing. German game is highly entertaining and there are more goals in German league. In terms of technique, German teams are highly rated, but  the recent entry of foreign coaches in EPL has improved it. Starting my career in Bundesliga and having the opportunity to play in other leagues, I would say that it is the foundation of discipline, dedication and lifestyle in Bundesliga that sustained me in other leagues such as Turkey, France and EPL. I went to Germany as a boy and left as a man.

What do you say about that your great goal against Oliver Kahn

The media have hyped that goal. I was only doing my job. But I am grateful for that goal because people can still identify me with something in Germany.

To what extent would you says that the German league has assisted in developing the African football?

A lot of Africans have benefited from the league in the past 25 years now to the extent that an African (Ghanaian) also plays for the German national team. This means that we are well accepted in Germany. In the beginning it was tough, as the number of foreign players were limited. But we fought well to show that Africans got talents.

It is true that Germany is the current world Cup champions but other countries especially players in Span have dominated the Balon D’Or, what is the missing link?

For me, it is all about German league focusing more on team work than individual players.  German league believes in team achievement than individuals. It is also noted that other countries like to hype and promote their players, though Germans do that as well but may be not as other countries. German player has also won Balon D’Or currently dominated by a few players.

What are the activities for the Bundesliga Legends Tour?

While in Lagos and Accra I will share my experiences on the Bundesliga during live studio shows and serve as co-commentator for Bundesliga matches. I will take part in various activities like football clinics and autograph sessions for African football fans. I learnt that another Bundesliga legend, Sunday Oliseh will visit Kenya this month, where he will appear as an analyst and guest with media partners, holding training sessions with local football managers and meeting with football fans in Nairobi.