How Okocha Used Dribbling To Fight Racism In Soccer

Okocha who played for two different clubs in Germany before he left for Turkey said he never lost his head, but always thinking of how to retaliate in a legal way and will make them bow to his feet.

When he arrived in Germany in the early 90s, Okocha played for Borussia Neunkirchen between 1990–1992, he made 35 appearances and scored seven goals in return before his switch to Eintracht Frankfurt where he finally made name for himself in Germany.

Okocha was at Frankfurt between 1992–1996, but in no time, the African star took over the division with his sensational dribbles, something he said was the only way he could repay the Germans for all the racist abuses he and other African players suffered.

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“When I first got to Europe, it was Germany that I went to and the level of racism there was high. I never knew I was black until I got to Germany.

“When I got the opportunity to sign a deal and I signed, I was like – how am I going to repay this person back in a legal way. Then, I decide to dribble them in order to show am a racist.” Okocha said.

The 1994 African Cup of Nations winner finally departed Germany after fallen out with his coach Ottmar Hitzfield, but he made 90 appearances for the and scored 16 goals in return.

One of the highlights of his career in Germany was a goal he scored against Karlsruher SC, he dribbled in the penalty box and slotting the ball past about six defenders, before slotting the ball past Germany legend Oliver Kahn in goal.

The goal was voted Goal of the Season by many football magazines and also voted as 1993 goal of the year by TV viewers in Germany.