Sports

31 Years After: Okwaraji Still In Our Hearts!

Published

4 years ago

August 12, 2020

gwg

By Ayodele Oluwafemi

Nigerians were on Wednesday paying tributes to the memory of legendary Nigerian midfielder, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji who died exactly 31 years ago on the soccer field playing for Nigeria.

Okwaraji, on August 12, 1989, collapsed and died of heart failure during a World Cup qualification match against Angola at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State.

He collapsed in the 77th minute of the match.

Many Nigerians have blamed his death on the poor state of health facilities in the stadium.

Before his demise, he had played for some European clubs like AS Roma, NK Dinamo Zagreb, Austria Klagenfurt and VFB Stuttgart.

Outside his football career, Okwaraji was a qualified lawyer as he had a masters’ degree in International Law form Political Lantern University of Rome.

Thirty-one years after his death, many Nigerians have not forgotten his brilliant skills, determination and doggedness on the field of play.

Okwaraji was also remarkable for his patriotic gestures.

GWG gathered the following tweets:

Today in History: Sam Okwaraji died

It's 31yrs today (August 12, 1989), Sam Sochukwuma Okwaraji, the Imo State born Lawyer cum footballer collapsed on the field of play and died of heart failure while playing for Nigeria national team Vs Angola in Lagos.

Gone but not forgotten! pic.twitter.com/CXRGMtXD7R
— IGBO History & Facts (@IgboHistoFacts) August 12, 2020

#TodayInHistory

It's exactly 31yrs since SAMUEL SOCHUKWUMA OKWARAJI died.

He died on the football field while playing for the Super Eagles against Angola in Lagos.

A thread.

Sam Okwaraji was born 19th May 1964 in Orlu, Imo state. His mum (late Janet Okwaraji who died June… pic.twitter.com/FIsy9gblI3
— CoalCityConnect (@Coal_City) August 12, 2020

Here's a clip of Samuel Okwaraji scoring the opener for Nigeria vs. Cameroon at the 1988 African Cup of Nations in Rabat.

The force behind that strike though ??pic.twitter.com/PYcpYI1fSF
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) August 12, 2020

Samuel Okwaraji died at 25, on the pitch less than 15mins from the end of a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola in #lagos
Autopsy revealed he had been playing with an enlarged heart and high BP. Samuel was respected for his honesty, dedication, and selflessness. REST ON ICON pic.twitter.com/wF0hB75TEI
— Veegil Media (@VeegilMedia) August 12, 2020

31 years to the day Samuel Okwaraji slumped and died in our National colours. A hero in every sense of the word. In Nigerian hearts forever. ? pic.twitter.com/UkRPc2KXBv
— Dr. Mohammed Amali ?? (@MoAmali) August 12, 2020

Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji.

Today marks exactly 31yrs you slumped and died doing what you love, serving a country who will never appreciate your sacrifice.

Gone but never forgotten. Continue to rest in Power ? pic.twitter.com/Y7ZYEjUkpU
— Tony Nnando ???? (@Chef__Tee) August 12, 2020

Today is making it 31 years since Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji died. He was born on the 19 May 1964 and he died on the12 August 1989 while playing for Nigeria in World Cup qualification match against Angola at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State.#lagos #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/QbCsUgqkd7
— Iwazi.com.Ng (@Iwazing) August 12, 2020

To mark today's International youth day, i dedicate it to Late. Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji who died 31yrs ago toady while playing for his beloved Country Nigeria at age 25.
A great lad with so many dreams but it country failed you.
Continue to rest in peace Hero. pic.twitter.com/9ftp0EnWSZ
— Mazi Chukwudi ° (@chuddyOzil) August 12, 2020

Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji

Masters degree holder in International law

Played for As Roma, VFB Stuttgart, Dinamo Zagreb

Died on the pitch in 1989 playing for Nigeria in a WCQ vs Angola at the age of 25

8 caps for Nigeria, scored 1 goal

31 years gone like 31days

R.I.P Sam! pic.twitter.com/BM8cJ6DVsd
— Radio Friend (@ogunmilorokenny) August 12, 2020

#OTD in history
August 12, 1989
Samuel Okwaraji slumped on the pitch during a world cup qualifier match while he was playing for Nigeria against Angola in Lagos and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Kiki #YouthDay pic.twitter.com/rOLsPtYJo2
— #BBNaija2020 (@BuziBrown) August 12, 2020

Today, we remember former @NGSuperEagles midfielder, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji who passed on to glory, in active service, on this day in 1989. His legend lives forever. Keep resting Soldier. #WeRememberOkwaraji. pic.twitter.com/kDL7UreraO
— The NFF ?? (@thenff) August 12, 2020

Today is 31 years since Samuel Okwaraji collapsed and died on the pitch at the national stadium in Lagos. #WILT But he did not die on the pitch – the ambulance to take him to the hospital failed to start …31 years is a long time, yet our health sector like other sectors is..
— LOPEZ IYKE™ (@MR_IYKELOPEZ) August 12, 2020

On this day in 1989, Samuel Okwaraji, a Nigerian professional footballer & a qualified lawyer collapsed and died of congestive heart failure in the 77th minute of a qualification match against Angola at the ''Lagos'' National stadium in Surulere. #SamuelOkwarajiLivesOn pic.twitter.com/a2Xqusu8po
— #BBNaija #bbnaijalockdown2020 (@ChinaksChris_) August 12, 2020

31 yrs ago, Eagles midfielder Samuel Okwaraji slumped and died while playing for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium, Lagos. The only goal of the match was scored by Stephen Keshi. May Allah bless the families the two heroes left behind. pic.twitter.com/yWzO0Dq3DR
— Yusuph Olaniyonu (@Yusupholaniyonu) August 12, 2020

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31 Years After: Okwaraji Still In Our Hearts!

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