The Nigeria Football Federation joined other Nigerians today to remember the late Samuel Okwaraji, who died while on national duty 33 years ago to this day.
Okwaraji slumped towards the end of the 1990 World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Angola on August 12, 1989 at the National Stadium in Lagos.
The Belgium-based midfielder was declared dead hours after the match, which Nigeria won 1-0.
He was declared to have died of congestive heart failure, although there were question marks raised about the quality of treatment he received.
The news of the young footballer’s death spread the following day and the entire country was thrown into mourning for the fallen hero who died in the service of his fatherland.
“It’s 12th August again, and we remember the patriotic Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji who died on this day in 1989. Forever in our hearts. #WeRememberOkwaraji,” the NFF wrote on social media today.
Okwaraji had crashed into the national team two years previously, joining them in training while he was on holiday from his Belgium base.
The then Green Eagles head coach, German Manfred Hoener, was impressed by Okwaraji’s talent and he was officially invited to the squad.
Okwaraji went on to become a key member of the national team, even emerging as one of the best players of the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, in which Nigeria reached the final, where they controversially lost to Cameroon.
He also featured for the country in the football event of the Seoul Olympics in Korea in 1988, playing all three games.
He has been honoured in various forms since his tragic, untimely death, including the erection of his bust at the entrance of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, the ground where he made his final public appearance.
Okwaraji, who had a law degree and had played professionally in Germany and Belgium, was only 25 years old at the time of his unfortunate death.
