I am a pure Yoruba man — Ex-Arsenal star Adebayor declares after honouring Jay Jay Okocha

Adebayor was at the novelty match to celebrate Okocha at 50.

I am a pure Yoruba man — Ex-Arsenal star Adebayor declares after honouring Jay Jay Okocha

Izuchukwu Akawor 15:21 - 17.08.2023

Emmanuel Adebayor was in Nigeria to celebrate Nigeria Super Eagles legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha at 50.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed that he is indeed a son of the soil from Nigeria. 

Adebayor said this during a novelty match put together by BetKing to celebrate Nigerian football legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha. 

Adebayor at BetKing match for Okocha

The Togolese superstar was one of the special guests at the event organised by BetKing in honour of their ambassador, Okocha, on the occasion of his 50th birthday. 

Okocha
Jay Jay Okocha flanked by Emmanuel Adebayor and Julius Aghahowa.

With former Nigeria Super Eagles skipper Okocha celebrating his 50th birthday last Monday, BetKing hosted his former Super Eagles teammates and colleagues from the continent. 

Adebayor led the African contigent alongside Ghana’s Asamoah Gyang to the match held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium, last Sunday. 

Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates in Arsenal colours.

The former Manchester City forward and Asamoah were some of the players who put on a show in the well-attended event which left Okocha overwhelmed. 

In the end, Okocha’s Dynamo, with Adebayor and Gyang, lifted the title following a 8-5 win over Nigeria’s Dribbler which included some of his former colleagues in the Super Eagles led by Emmanuel Amokachi,Taribo West, Joseph Yobo, and Ifeanyi Udeze amongst others. 

Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor says he is fully Nigerian. (Photo Credit: Adebayor/ Instagram

On his Nigerian roots

After the game which saw him dazzle alongside Jay Jay, Adebayor spoke to the media where he revealed his Nigerian roots.

According to a video on social media, while he was born and raised in Togo, he is a ‘pure’ Yoruba boy and Nigerian. 

Jay Jay Okocha and former football stars during the event on Sunday.

“My father’s name is Adeyi Adebayo and my mother’s name is Alice Semiola Adekani,” he stated. 

“So, i am a pure Yoruba man. I was just born in Togo, grew up in Togo and being raised by Nigerian parents.”

“I am fully from Nigeria,” he added. 

The former Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Manchester City forward enjoyed an illustrious career before he announced his retirement from football at the age of 39 earlier this year.

He was capped 88 times for Togo, scored 2 times, and helped his country reach its first and only FIFA World Cup in 2006.