Football Legend Jay-Jay Okocha Finally Receives Retro 1998 World Cup Award

Nigerian icon honoured with ‘Superior Player of the Match’ trophy 28 years after classic Spain victory

LAGOS — Former Super Eagles captain Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has been presented with a special retroactive ‘Superior Player of the Match’ award for his unforgettable performance in Nigeria’s 3-2 triumph over Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

The 52-year-old former Bolton Wanderers playmaker unveiled the silver trophy in a video shared to his Instagram page on Thursday, as the 2026 World Cup gets under way across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Hello, this is JJ Okocha. I’m about to unveil this special award being given to me by FIFA,” he said in the clip. “And it was given to me for winning the Superior Man of the Match in a World Cup game, Nigeria versus Spain, 1998.”

The legendary midfielder added: “Special thank you to Michelob ULTRA and Copa90 for this amazing award. I feel so honoured to receive it, thank you.”

The match in question – played on 13 June 1998 at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes – saw the Super Eagles come from behind twice to secure a famous group-stage upset against the European heavyweights. Goals from Mutiu Adepoju and a stunning long-range strike from Sunday Oliseh sealed all three points.

Under coach Bora Milutinović, Nigeria went on to defeat Bulgaria as well, booking their place in the knockout rounds before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in the Round of 16.

The retrospective honour recognises Okocha’s immense contribution to the game and cements his status as one of Africa’s most gifted footballers. The playmaker, who graced three World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002), still holds the record for the most successful dribbles in a single World Cup match – 15 completed against Italy in the 1994 Round of 16.

As the 2026 World Cup kicks off across North America, the long-overdue award serves as a timely reminder of Okocha’s enduring legacy on football’s greatest stage.