Remembering Samuel Okwaraji

On this day (August 12, 1989) 27 years ago, Nigerians and sports lovers all over the African continent were thrown into mourning when the Nigerian International footballer and midfield maestro, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, collapsed and died of heart failure in the 77th minute of a FIFA World Cup qualification match against the Palancas Negras of […]

On this day (August 12, 1989) 27 years ago, Nigerians and sports lovers all over the African continent were thrown into mourning when the Nigerian International footballer and midfield maestro, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, collapsed and died of heart failure in the 77th minute of a FIFA World Cup qualification match against the Palancas Negras of Angola at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos State. 
Okwaraji, whom sports pundits and enthusiasts believed, was one of the finest midfielders in the nation’s football annals, died at his prime, at the age of 25.
Many Nigerians, recalled, ignored the scorching sun of that Saturday, August 12, 1989 to give maximum support to the Nigerian team. Okwaraji had lined up alongside stars like: David Ngodigha, Augustine Eguavoen, Sunday Eboigbe, Stephen Keshi, Obobaifo Osaro, Ademola Adesina, Uche Okafor, Humphrey Edobor, Etim Esim, Samson Siasia and Dahiru Sadi. Eagles won the match but it was Okwaraji’s last. He died before our very eyes defending his dear fatherland, fighting for honour and glory enroute the Italia 90 World Cup which the Eagles missed narrowly! The memory is still with us today. 
Meanwhile, there is no gain saying that the talented midfielder, wearing the Number 6 jersey for Nigeria, had an eventful soccer career, albeit a very short one.
Born on the 19 May, 1964 in Umudioka Orlu, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Okwaraji was greatly admired for playing his professional football in Europe and at the same time pursing his academics. He was a versatile young man. It was on record that he was a qualified lawyer and a Master degree holder in International Law from the University of Rome, Italy. He was a rare and enviable combination of the rigors of academic and discipline of footballing artistry.
Okwaraji played for various clubs in Europe notably: NK Dinamo Zagreb, VfB Stuttgart and SSV Ulm 1846 when only few gifted Nigerian legs and brains were plying their trades in Europe. It was move that encouraged many Nigerian football youngsters to venture and in process adding values to world football. 
Aside his club engagement, Okwaraji joined forces with other Nigeria internationals to lift the nation’s flag higher. He was a member of the Green Eagles squad at the 1988 Olympic in Seoul and the African Nations Cup hosted by Morocco same year, where he even scored one of the fastest goals in the history of the championship against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon during the group stages.
The death of Okwaraji no doubt shook the nation and the pain is still with us today. This may be because aside the burial, he has not been deservedly honoured as a football hero. A promising youngster who gave Nigerians reasons to smile deserved far more than a bust placed in front of the Rededicated Memorial Garden in front of the same stadium where he died. The government and the nation’s football administrators can do more.
Truth is, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the Sports Ministry and by extension the federal government has not done enough to show that patriotism to the nation pays. Ex-internationals like Rashidi Yekini, Uche Okafor, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha and lately the duo of Coach Stephen Keshi and Shaibu Amodu were all good examples that we lack the culture of exalting the names and accomplishments of our heroes dead or alive. 
In reality today, most sound and talented Nigerian stars plying their trades outside the nation’s shores are not often ecstatic when they have to choose between playing for their fatherland and a foreign country. Their reason, perhaps, was that the nation may not be there in the days of trouble not to talk of preserving their memories.   
Today, another Olympic Games is underway in Rio, Brazil and there are over 80 Nigerian athletes fighting for honour for our dear country. I think Okwaraji would be happy because he participated at Seoul 88 Olympics, a year before his demise. But he and his family may be happier if the government moves to immortalize him. 

Ayodeji Adesina, Ajebo, Ogun State.