By Jacob Ajom
On August 12, 1989, Nigerian football suffered one of its biggest shocks when Samuel Tochukwuma Okwaraji slumped and died on the pitch during an Italia ‘90 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Angola. Okwaraji was just a little over a year old in the national team, then under German coach, Manfred Hoener and his Nigerian assistant, Paul Hamilton.

Despite his ‘newness’ in national colours, the name Okwaraji was far more popular than most of his contemporaries who had spent more time in the national team. His death was a big setback to Nigeria’s campaign in the qualifiers as the country eventually failed to qualify for the Mundial as the Eagles lost that chance to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.

Okwaraji’s road to prominence was a classic case of patriotism, selflessness and hardwork. His coach then, Paul Hamilton relieved how the young Nigerian who studied law in Germany found his way into the national team.

Said Hamilton, “We were on a playing tour of Germany when the then NFA chairman, retired Group Captain John Obakpolor came to our training ground. He called Hoener and myself aside and told us of a young Nigerian student who was schooling and playing football in Germany. He said the boy was very good and sought our consent to give him a trial. We both agreed and asked that he could come.”

Hamilton recalled that the next day, Okwaraji reported at the training pitch. “I watched him play, and as a footballer, I knew immediately that he could make it in the national team.

When we returned from Germany, he was formally invited to the pre-Maroc ‘88 Africa Cup of Nations camp. He was among the first to report to camp. His hardwork saw him make the team to Morocco where he excelled. Okwaraji was a great player, a fantastic midfielder.”
He eulogised the Imo state born star as a patriot extra ordinaire.

“The present crop of national team players have got a lot to learn from the life Okwaraji lived,” Hamilton started.
“I know football today is big business and a lot of people are benefitting from it. Okwaraji never put money between him and his country. He was hardworking and that is one fine quality our players have to learn. They must work hard and allow reward for their hardwork come afterward.

They should also imbibe his winning mentality which was evident whenever he was on the pitch. We all could remember his early goal against Cameroun in the Nations Cup. Okwaraji was a winner.” Hamilton also said Okwaraji also combined academics and football effectively.

“He debunked the notion that football was for dropouts. He was a lawyer and very good in sports. Our players can emulate him, happily, I am seeing that happen today as a lot of kids in sports are combining it with academics. It is good because after one’s active days in sports one can fall back to his profession.”

The veteran coach believes Nigerians cannot forget Okwaraji easily as exemplified by the Lagos state government, last year. “I don’t think Okwaraji has been forgotten. Look at his statue in front of the national stadium, Lagos. Last year, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola ordered the place cleared and the beautification was carried out with flowers and landscaping.

The place was named Sam Okwaraji Garden. Apart from the garden, the governor sent money to the late star’s mother, his only surviving parent in Orlu. He did not even want the amount to be published. That was worthy of emulation and I expect other patriotic Nigerians to do likewise. They should do whatever they can in their own little way to the memory of this Nigerian patriot, who worked his way to martyrdom,” Hamilton said.

Apart from participating in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, Okwaraji was part of the Nigerian football team to Seoul Olympics. It is 21 years on and the memories are still with us.