Former Super Eagles captain, Augustine Okocha, has recalled how a famous solo goal against ex-Bayern Munich goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn, transformed his career while he was still at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Okocha said the goal, which saw him dribble past Kahn before finding the net, was the moment he first gained recognition outside Germany.
Speaking on the Obi-Wan podcast on Monday, Okocha, fondly called JJ, said Kahn was in one of his best seasons at the time, shortly before his move to Bayern Munich.
He said the viral moment, which predated social media, still got wide television coverage across Europe and remains one of the defining highlights of his career.
“It was Oliver Kahn, and he was having his best season,” Okocha said.
He added, “That goal changed my life. That was when I gained recognition outside Germany.”
The goal was replayed across European television at the time, despite predating the social media era.
Okocha explained that he held onto the ball longer than he intended before shooting, insisting he was not trying to embarrass Kahn but was searching for the right opening to score.
He said his then Frankfurt manager later joked that his starting place at the club depended on that goal going in.
“I didn’t mean to hold onto it that long. Whenever I want to shoot, I see somebody in front, so I was just trying to find the right moment to shoot.
“The saving grace was it did go in, because even the manager told me, had he been there, I didn’t score that goal, as long as he remains manager of this team, you will never play again,” he said.
Okocha said he has since met Kahn but has never discussed the goal with him, joking that the German’s stern demeanour makes it a difficult conversation to start.
“I’ve met him, but you don’t want to discuss that. He’s a big lad, and he never smiles,” Okocha said
Okocha made his name at Eintracht Frankfurt after starting his European career at a lower-tier German club, before further stints at Fenerbahçe, PSG and Bolton Wanderers cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s most gifted attacking midfielders.
