HOME > NEWS > AUSTIN JAY JAY OKOCHA AND SAMSON SIASIA JOIN THE INDIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha and Samson Siasia join the Indian football league

Okocha gets N89m, Siasia gets N34m in India

Posted: 2012-01-31 10:07

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha on Monday joined Durgapur for $550,000 (about N89m) in the inaugural Indian football league.  

Okocha's former tam mate and immediate past Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia will coach Jay-Jay's Durgapur for $210,000 (about N34m) while former youth international, Robert Egbeta will be teaming up with Kolkata for $350,000 (about N56m).
 
Okocha told KickOffNigeria.com he was thrilled about the prospect of the novel challenge.
 
"I'm very excited about it and I am looking forward to kickoff. It's a new challenge for me, and I hope to help them as much as I can," he said.
 
A further breakdown of other players that will be on parade in the India's Premier League Soccer tournament to be held in the eastern state of West Bengal in March-April this year include former Argentina striker, Hernan Crespo who was the most expensive player in the auction on Monday. The Argentine was bought for $840,000 by Barasat.
 
Italy's World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro, was the next most expensive costing Siliguri $830,000.
 
Former France midfielder player Robert Pires went to Howrah for $800,000 and ex-England striker Robbie Fowler was taken by Kolkata for $530,000.
 
Apart from these five ''icon'' players who had to sign for different teams, other overseas footballers who were the objects of bids included the Nigerian defender Egbeta and Ecuador midfielder Christian Lara (Barasat, $200,000).
 
All teams also received a foreign coach. Apart from Siasia, others include Fernando Couto of Portugal (Howrah, $240,000), Teitur Thordorson of Iceland (Barasat, $210,000), Peter Reid of England ($200,000) and Marco Etcheverry of Bolivia (Siliguri, $200,000).
 
The league is organized by a company called Celebrity Management Group and the Indian Football Association and is expected to boost the popularity of the sport by giving local players a chance to learn from top professionals and experienced coaches.
 
"The response has been fabulous considering this is a new idea," CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami said.  
 
"We'll now have another auction on Feb 2 for Indian players."
 
The tournament was originally planned to have six teams but the city franchise of Haldia failed to find any financial backers.
 
Organizers also said they would announce new dates for the tournament, which was originally due to be held from February 25 to April 8 but is now expected to begin in mid-March. 

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Amata Plus: 2012-01-31 10:38

Those who thought sacking Siasia was the end of his career have just been reminded that a prophet is not without honour except in his own country.

I am glad that God is carving a niche for Siasia's career. He will surely return to take his rightful place in our footballing history!

For Okocha, I hope he enjoys his time in India. His success on the pitch will not in any way contribute to the future of football in Nigeria. I wish him well, though.

Go Sia1! Carry gooooooooo!!!!!!!!

sly1: 2012-01-31 11:09

And how much are the Indians looking to pay for AMODU.......0 Kobo

gerry: 2012-01-31 11:38

@Amata plus, I you have shown much love for siasia which is great. If i may ask, Siasia and Amodu, which one of these men were sacked unfairly. Is it the one that qualified us for the World cup twice but was never allowed to lead the country to the tournament or is it the one that was told he would be sacked if he fails to qualify for Nations cup, he read the contract and signed it. The thing is that Siasia was given a chance and he blew it.

I have no sympathy for both men, one style of play was owful the other one was very arogant and needed to attend a man-management course.

We have moved on, So lets leave the past. The time will come to sack keshi and who knows Siasia might come for his second Missionary journey.

gerry: 2012-01-31 11:41

@Amata plus, you have shown much love for siasia which is great. If i may ask, Siasia and Amodu, which one of these men were sacked unfairly. Is it the one that qualified us for the World cup twice but was never allowed to lead the country to the tournament or is it the one that was told he would be sacked if he fails to qualify for Nations cup, he read the contract and signed it. The thing is that Siasia was given a chance and he blew it.

I have no sympathy for both men, one style of play was owful the other one was very arogant and needed to attend a man-management course.

We have moved on, So lets leave the past. The time will come to sack keshi and who knows Siasia might come for his second Missionary journey.

luise-hero: 2012-01-31 12:19

look when a stone is being rejected among the building stone he stays in or out of the corner to look precious to those whom knows is worth ,,siasia carry dey go nff reject you but in oversea you worth millions of naira ,,this just the beginning more grace to ur effort ,,ur haters must be put to shame,,coach wen sabi

TeellThemm: 2012-01-31 15:46

Sia1, coach wey sabi. You can never be silence by those morons in our football house and society, you will always shine. It is only in Nigeria that people like great Sia1, Chinua Achebe, Philip Emeagwali, Wole Soyinka are not appreciated, rather they are hated just because they sabi yet they keep shinning in the life of millions out there. Sia1, coach wey sabi, carry go.

Game147: 2012-01-31 18:10

'For Okocha, I hope he enjoys his time in India. His success on the pitch will not in any way contribute to the future of football in Nigeria'
@Amata Plus, Please explain this paragraph .Maybe your intended message is not in concord with my comprehension. No vex abeg, mek u explain.

Mega Million: 2012-01-31 20:28

This is another embarrassment to the Current traped thieves in the Glass House.Siasia was insulted by Mr Green because of 5 Million Naira.Wait a minute,What was that amount again Mr Editor? 34 Million????

Siasia was a green banana that needed to be hold on until it turns yellow but fools let it go.We don't need to bring ink and paper into this anymore,A gold is stolen from Us.



Mega Million NDa House

Omodan: 2012-01-31 22:06

Siasia is coaching INDIA! India of all places? ROFLOL

Omodan: 2012-01-31 22:07

Siasia is coaching INDIA! India of all places? ROFLOL

luise-hero: 2012-02-01 01:39

siasia i believe in you ,,nff pay siasia 5m cry like babies ,indian unknown club pay 35m without no story ,,may GOD show wisdom siasias may ur enemies cry instead of laugh Amen

9ja Voice: 2012-02-02 08:33

India?.....and we ae celebrating it....na waoooo. Is he developing his acreer? with this in his CV can he come back and coach SE.
Let me ask us this question, if a coach apply for SE job with indian coaching experince....what wil this foeum say?
If he is a good coach as we all here have thought and claimed.....he would have landed a better job .....but for him to go to india....that him level.

9ja Voice: 2012-02-02 08:34

India?.....and we are celebrating it....na waoooo. Is he developing his acreer? with this in his CV can he come back and coach SE.
Let me ask us this question, if a coach apply for SE job with indian coaching experince....what wil this foeum say?
If he is a good coach as we all here have thought and claimed.....he would have landed a better job .....but for him to go to india....that na him level. BAD NEWS.

emeka: 2012-02-09 14:40

@ luise-hero, I love your writing... Even as you did not write in too many lines to express all there is to say, I will only add that I love your words. All the best to those that press on in life in search of good and earn via hard work. Kudo to Siasia: 100 gun salute to our one and only, as has been written of him as we all know; the magician, the motivator, the perfect entertainer, master dribbler, soccer wizard, Nigeria's demi-god, our God-sent, crowd puller, I love you pass my mama, Okocha!!!