Nigerians Remember Late Football Star Samuel Okwaraji On The Anniversary Of His Death

Nigerians on Twitter are paying homage to one of their own, the late Samuel Okwaraji who slumped on this day in 1989 while playing for the Nigerian national team.

Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji was born on May 19, 1964, in Orlu, Imo State. He was a professional footballer and a qualified lawyer with a master’s degree in International Law from the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.

He collapsed and died of congestive heart failure in the 77^th minute of the World Cup qualification match against Angola at the Lagos National Stadium, Surulere on August 12, 1989.

Though gone, Okwaraji remains in the hearts of sports lovers who are remembering him on Twitter.

See their posts below:

Today in sporting history. August 12, 1989, Italy based Green Eagles midfielder Samuel Okwaraji slumped and died while playing for Nigeria in an Italia 90 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Palancas Negras of Angola at the national stadium in Lagos. Kiki pic.twitter.com/0j3rFAG5hE

— Ismail Afolabi (@shallar_1) August 12, 2020

#OnThisDay in 1989, Samuel Okwaraji slumped and passed away in a World Cup qualifiers encounter vs. Angola in Lagos.

Continue to rest in peace ???? pic.twitter.com/wMAb5oBbfb

— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) August 12, 2020

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

Referee Hounnake-Kouassi of Togo brandishes a yellow card to Samuel Okwaraji in the 71st minute of the Italia 1990 World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Angola at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, August 12, 1989. This is the last known photograph of Okwaraji alive. pic.twitter.com/4XJScE5SDv

— IGBO History & Facts (@IgboHistoFacts) 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

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

Former @NGSuperEagles midfielder Samuel Okwaraji passed on, this day, 31 years ago…

Here's celebrating a true legend who gave his all, ultimately passing on in active service. ????❤

Live on Samuel… #CelebratingSamuelOkwaraji#LetsTalk @OdemwingieP @PinnickAmaju @alexiwobi pic.twitter.com/g6X4yFYaZS

— Nigeria Info FM 99.3 (@NigeriainfoFM) August 12, 2020

32 years ago today, Samuel Okwaraji took his last breath on the battle field for Nigeria against Angola at the national stadium, Lagos.

Enough said…

— Wole Opatola (@WoleOpatola) August 12, 2020

still deteriorating at abysmal rate. Nothing has changed. Life has no sanctity here. Our leaders patronizing health tourism in India, Saudi,US,UK etc

Not many people know that Samuel Okwaraji was also a lawyer with a Masters in Law from PLU, Rome.

KEEP RESTING IN PEACE, LEGEND.

— LOPEZ IYKE™ (@MR_IYKELOPEZ) August 12, 2020

On this day in 1989, ???????? Samuel Okwaraji collapsed and died of congestive heart failure during a World Cup qualifiers between Nigeria and Angola in Lagos, Nigeria.

May his soul continue to rest in peace..#wednesdaymorning #GetSporty#BetSporty pic.twitter.com/n1B6xgj6zU

— SportyBet Nigeria (@sportybetng) August 12, 2020

We will forever remember you. A great patriot. Thank you for the joy you gave us when you are still here with us. You will always be in our hearts. Samuel Okwaraji. pic.twitter.com/VrFWQPvdXu

— Oloruntobi???? (@YushauAdamson) August 12, 2020

A Thread!
SAMUEL OKWARAJI:
31 YEARS AFTER.

Today, the 12th of August, 2020 marks the 31st anniversary of the death of former Super Eagles midfielder, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji.

Okwaraji slumped and died of heart failure on the pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos. pic.twitter.com/dUPLMacj7y

— Osklean FA (@OskleanFA) August 12, 2020

We remember and honour Samuel Okwaraji today. He paid the ultimate prize for his mother land on this date, 12th August, 1989. Samuel Okwaraji lives forever in our ❤️. @SegunThePundit @dejiomotoyinbo @channels_sports @sportzone913 https://t.co/14boRyxSnJ

— Kehinde Abiola (@KehindeAbiola15) August 12, 2020