Former teammates remember Sam Okwaraji, the Nigerian football legend, on the 28th anniversary of his death

Saturday 12 August, marked the 28th anniversary of the Nigerian football legend Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji’s tragic death.

The dreadlocked Nigerian midfielder slumped and died on 12th August, 1989 at the National Stadium, Lagos, during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying March with Angola.

Okwaraji also entered the record books as the fastest scorer at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, which was the only edition he featured.

The qualified lawyer, who had a masters in international law from the University of Rome, Okwaraji collapsed ten minutes from the end of the match and died from congestive heart failure. He was only 25 years old.

An autopsy showed that he had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure.

Some of the Super Eagles players of that era spoke to Sports Village Square to express their feelings about the player, who will forever be a national hero.

One of the Super Eagles players that day, Etim Esin recalled vividly the sad incident during a chat with Sports Village Square.

“I don’t like remembering the sad incident. It was the worst game in my career. Okwaraji’s death remains one of the greatest shocks I ever got,” Esin said.

Another player at the match, Austin Eguavoen recalls:

“This is not a good episode for me to recount. Remember that apart from Okwaraji, there were some other deaths among the fans. I weep any time I remember August 12"