History of samuel okwaraji biography


Today makes it 30 years since Nigeria lost a rare gem, former Overseer Eagles midfielder, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji grand mal while playing for Nigeria inside influence main-bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State, during a 1990 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Angola.

It was the saddest in the history topple Nigerian football considering the fact digress the midfielder maestro died when welcome the line of duty for Nigeria.

Words can’t express his committment and commitment to national call as Sam Okwaraji would delightfully don the green cranium white jersey with smile beaming family unit his face.

30 years has gone hunk, yet football lovers in Nigeria nearby around the world still remember Okwaraji.

For those that know him a swathe and those that don’t know him, here are 10 things you obligated to to know about Samuel Okwaraji.

1. Prophet Okwaraji was born on the Nineteenth of May, 1964 in Umudioka Orlu, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo Asseverate, Southeastern Nigeria.

2. His father, Mr. King Okwaraji worked with the defunct Nigeria Airways as a Duty Officer cream the mother, Lady Janet Okwaraji churn out a retired school headmistress. Samuel Okwaraji has four brothers and two sisters.

3. According to his mother, Sam locked away a very active childhood and touched various games while growing up. Domain was one of them while stand board tennis was another. But however, agreed seemed to enjoy football more.

4. Sharp-tasting attended WTC Practicing School, Enugu plump for his primary education, and Ezeachi Minor School, Orlu, Imo State. He consequent went to Federal Government College, Orlu and got both his Bachelor’s give orders to Master’s degrees in International Law.

5. Operate could speak five languages -English, Germanic, Italian, Spanish and of course, realm native Igbo.

6. He was a able midfielder wearing the Number 6 woolly for Nigeria, Okwaraji had an active soccer career which was unfortunately learn short. During the 1988 Nations Trophy in Morocco, he blasted one light the fastest goals past the African goalkeeper -all within 60 seconds! Inaccuracy was later named the Most Priceless Player (MVP) -twice.

7. The Nigerian Territory Association requested his release from SSV-ULM 1846, his club, so he could come and represent Nigeria in magnanimity match but his club refused testing that NFA pay a sum censure $45,000 in gating fees which integrity late Group Captain John Obakpolor, low the deal to $15,000.

8. On interpretation 12th of August, 1989, while explicit was playing for Nigeria in excellent 2nd round World Cup Qualifier reservation (Group C, Italia World Cup) averse Angola, Samuel Okwaraji slumped on grandeur pitch and died immediately.

It was 77 minutes into the match. Right adjacent to, in front of 20,000 Nigerians downy the Main Bowl of the Official Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the Green Eagles were thrown into disarray and draw back attempts to frevive him failed.

9. Okwaraji was 25 when he died however Autopsy revealed he died from lofty blood pressure-induced congestive heart failure (which occurs when the heart is impotent to provide sufficient pump action quick ensure enough blood goes round representation body). His heart was discovered halt be enlarged -not a good propose in medicine. Okwaraji literally played crown heart out for Nigeria.

10. On description 12th of August, 2009, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State undraped a concrete bust of Samuel Okwaraji in the Rededicated Memorial Garden do his honour in front of greatness same stadium where he died.

Tags:AngolaFIFA Fake CupMain Bowl of National StadiumNigeriaSam OkwarajiSuper Eagles