In Remembrance of Sam Okwaraji

On August 12, 1898, while featuring for Nigeria in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos, dreadlocked Okwaraji went down under his own weight with only 13 minutes of the game remaining. Not many people cared about the result after, with the news that Okwaraji had died before getting […]

On August 12, 1898, while featuring for Nigeria in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos, dreadlocked Okwaraji went down under his own weight with only 13 minutes of the game remaining. Not many people cared about the result after, with the news that Okwaraji had died before getting to the Lagos Island hospital to which frantic medics rushed him following the incident.

Over the decades, administrators have harped on the virtues of the man Sam Okwaraji and what he stood for, and why the leading lights of today should emulate those virtues. Okwaraji was only 25 when he left us but he was already a superstar, not only on the field of play but through his conduct, approach and worldview.

Okwaraji overcame implied rejection and then reluctance by selectors to virtually ‘force’ his way into the Nigeria senior team, and through dedication, determination, uncommon ability and patriotic fervour, became indispensable. It is remarkable that at his death, those selectors were the most tearful and felt more pain than others.

Discipline is a critical factor in any human endeavour, and Okwaraji showed that you can have all these fine virtues and still have ambition. A doctorate degree student in law, the boy from Imo State dazzled all through playing his first game against Algeria in an Olympic Games qualifier in Enugu in January 1988, scoring the fastest goal of the 1988 African Cup of Nations against Cameroon, featuring for Nigeria at the Seoul Olympics and a couple of 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers before the fateful clash with the Palancas Negras.

Today, the message goes to our players of today, from senior internationals to academy upstarts, to imbibe the virtues of patriotism, endeavour, perseverance, diligence and ambition that Sam Okwaraji showed in just 20 months that he had in the limelight. May his gentle soul continue to rest in peace.

Thank You, Mr. President…

As is his usual practice, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, took the again to show he is the Number One Supporter of Nigeria football at all levels when he called in to speak with every member of the U-20 National Football Team, Flying Eagles, before their match against England at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia on Wednesday.

Of course, there has never been any doubt about His Excellency’s keen interest and passion for football. He was physically present at the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa last year and came to see the Super Eagles in their hotel on the eve of their first game against Argentina in Johannesburg.

Flying Eagles’ Head Coach, Sam John Obuh also reminded Mr. President of his support for the U-17 National Team during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, when His Excellency was the Vice President. Obuh stated that having given His Excellency silver as Vice President, his boys are now ready to give him the gold and trophy as President. He also noted that the Flying Eagles gave Mr. President the African Youth Championship trophy to celebrate his one year in office at the beginning of May.

 

Certainly, the President’s words to the boys on Wednesday morning worked wonders as they went all out in Armenia to put the England team out of the tournament. The boys had made a pledge to ‘do Nigeria proud’ and worked hard towards achieving victory.

On the part of the Nigeria Football Federation, we pledge to continue to give the team all necessary support to see it go all the way to clinching the trophy in Bogota on August 20.

This is also an opportunity for me to express our deep appreciation to the people of the city of Armenia and all the workers in the Hotel Campestre Las Camelias for their all-round support for our team throughout its stay in Armenia. The people supported Nigeria all the way in the stands, in the group matches and the Round of 16 clash with England, and in the hotel, the staff were wonderful.

On Wednesday, before our match with England, and as the players and officials waited for the privilege to speak to President Goodluck Jonathan, the staff had this message on a board:

Confidence is the result of hours, and days, and weeks, and years of constant work, determination and dedication. Never give in, never give in, Flying Eagles of Nigeria, never give in, until you win and go to bed with satisfaction. May God help us. Amen.

Very touching, I must say.

Wonders Never End…

Football’s unpredictable, and sometimes dazzling conclusions, hold a fascination that is beyond the imagination.

So, Guatemala, with a deficit of 10 goals, made it to the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia? With a little more luck, the country would have even made the quarter finals, or gone farther, as Portugal was only able to stop her by the odd goal.

Africa’s representatives, Mali, were eliminated without scoring a goal, and Cameroon defeated Uruguay to reach the Round of 16 after failing to beat New Zealand. Costa Rica lost 4-1 to Spain in its first game only to edge Australia, and then collapsed against Ecuador. The team would then make it difficult for the host nation in the Round of 16, before bowing out 2-3.

Croatia was projected as the form team of Europe only to fall badly in group D, scoring two goals and conceding eight. Saudi Arabia was bookmarked to go home after the group phase but it was only unlucky against Brazil in the Round of 16.

England reached the Round of 16 without scoring a goal, but met a stronger side in the Flying Eagles. Argentina and Mexico predictably made it to the second round from group F, but the huge sympathy is for Egypt, which lost 2-1 to Argentina in the Round of 16 despite playing so well all through.

The bookmakers thought the Young Pharaohs would not be able to prepare well for the championship because of the crises that have been rocking that North African country for the past months. But the team showed steel and guts and our Olympic team must watch it against Egypt’s U-23 squad in the eight-nation tournament that will determine Africa’s flag-bearers at next summer’s Olympics.

French Treat…

The Round of 16 matches all went through to form, and the Flying Eagles will take on France tomorrow in Cali for a spot in the last four.

Just like we have been doing, the NFF has a special package for the players and technical officials and this will be disclosed to them just before the game.

With the caliber of players that we have, I have confidence that this team will be able to do Mr. President and Nigerians proud when it takes the pitch against the French.

France will not be a roll-over, having emerged from the same group as the host nation. Following that 4-1 thumping by Colombia in Bogota on the first day of the tournament, the French team has improved, going ahead to dismiss Korea Republic 3-1 and overpowering Mali 2-0, before edging Ecuador on Wednesday.

Another Day In The Continent…

It’s another weekend of continental showdowns across Africa and our teams are very much involved.

Sunshine Stars of Akure, which has been having such a fine run that many would not remember that this is the club’s first time out, will take on MAS of Morocco in Fez while Kaduna United FC, with two points from their first two matches in the group stage, will take on ASEC Mimosas in Cote d’Ivoire.

In the CAF Champions League, Enyimba FC go up against Raja Casablanca of Morocco in Aba.

For Sunshine Stars, it is a huge opportunity to put one leg in the semi finals, having won its two previous matches to stay comfortably on top of group B. Victory in Morocco will lift the team much higher with opponents struggling to catch up, and they certainly will not be able because these boys from Nigeria are determined to do something special this year.

Kaduna United Fc also warmed hearts with a 0-0 draw against Club Africain in Tunis two weeks ago, and they also must forget they are rookies here when they play veteran campaigners ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan.

Enyimba FC are no strangers to the continent and the challenge tomorrow is for them to snatch all three points against Raja to make things easier for them as they countenance a place in the semi finals.

The Nigeria Football Federation will continue to give all these teams the needed support to bring glory to our dear country this year.

Take Heart, Martins…

I was in London early in the week when a telephone call from the Chairman of Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green (who is in Colombia) informed me that Nigerian international striker, Obafemi Martins, had lost his elder brother, Ladi.

The loss of a loved one is always so painful and brings so much grief. The Nigeria football fraternity condole Obafemi Martins and mourn with him on this occasion, while praying that God will grant him and other members of the family that Ladi has left behind prematurely the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

Next Week: Lessons from South America