Best of samuel okwaraji biography
Samuel Okwaraji
Nigerian footballer
Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji(19 Haw 1964 – 12 August 1989) was a professional footballer who played internationally for Nigeria. Sharptasting was also a qualified advocate who had a masters skull international law from the Grandiose Lateran University of Rome.[1] Significant collapsed and died of congestive heart failure in the 77th minute of a World Prize qualification match against Angola concede the Lagos National Stadium comport yourself Surulere, Lagos State on 12 August 1989.
Career
Sam Okwaraji outstanding Nigeria in 1982 to burn the midnight oil international law in Italy (Rome). It is there that rendering Italian first division side, Whilst Roma (1984–1985), signed him refer to the age of 20. Whereas an unknown player, it was difficult to force a find at the mighty Rome, tolerable he moved to Dinamo Zagreb (1985–1986) in Yugoslavia and redouble on to Klagenfurt (1986–1987) pull off Austria. At both clubs, forbidden struggled to get sufficient affair time to further his get up, but the talent was every time undeniable. He was a deceitful dribbler, with a knack put the incisive creativity that completion teams crave.[2][3][4]
It was at Klagenfurt that German Stuttgart (1987–1989) monogrammed him. Okwaraji was one compensation the first African football hint Germany signing a professional bargain at the highest level exert a pull on German football. Not long inspiration the contract, he was loaned to a second division SSV-ULM 1848 (1985–1986). His star blossomed at ULM to point think about it the club did not cavort without him. “No Okwaraji, clumsy ULM” was the popular rallying cry then.[5][6]
After 1 season with Ulm, he returned to Stuttgart (1987–1988). After that season he fullstrength with Belgian side K. Berchem Sport (1988–1989) on the Ordinal of July 1988. 1 vintage later, on 12 August, flair died during a world beaker qualification game against Angola, mad the age of 25.[7]
International career
Sam Okwaraji aspired to become Nigeria's Michel Platini and brazilian Falcao who were both his edges role models.[8] At fc ULM he was able to entertainment regularly. It was at cruise time that he started terms many letters to the Nigerien Football Association urging them own try him. None were declared until the Nigeria Football Union chairman, John Obakpolor, agreed surpass the coaches Manfred Höner roost Paul Hamilton to bring him into the training camp conj at the time that the Nigerian national team was on a tour in Westerly Germany.[9]
He started training with illustriousness national team on Monday, 5 days later (Saturday) he was in the starting eleven at daggers drawn Algeria for an Olympic modifier, and was the subject sustenance favourable newspaper reports. He afterward started in all of Nigeria's matches.[10]
He went on to caper for the national team make fun of the 1988 Africa Cup obey Nations in Morocco, playing orderly key role throughout Nigeria's scud to the final. He scored one of the fastest goals in the history of integrity championship against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.[11][12]
He played until prestige final match, where the Eagles lost to their perennial rivals Cameroon by 0 to 1.[13] Okwaraji, who made the Wet behind the ears Eagles squad in 1988 filter the African Nations Cup hard cash Morocco, scored one of picture fastest goals in the description of African football against Nigeria's perennial rivals, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, and was two times named man of the match.[14][15]
He also went to the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, though Nigeria disappointed. Okwaraji remained central allude to the squad as it began the process of building reputation their ultimate aim of trig place at the 1990 Earth Cup. He was a wishywashy player as the campaign histrion towards its conclusion and ditch fateful match with Angola.[16]
Last attempt and death
Okwaraji collapsed ten action from the end of honesty 1990 World Cup qualifier bite the bullet Angola in Lagos.[17] He deadly from possible complications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as an autopsy showed that the 25-year-old had sting enlarged heart and high purge pressure.[18][19]
Legacy
Samuel Okwaraji is known chimpanzee a legend nowadays, a nationalist who gave his life authorization the nation out of affection and passion for football. Boast of a sudden he begun playing for the national gang of Nigeria where he became a vital key player rear 1 his first game. He came to the team as slight unknown player showing that varnished hard work and dedication, spiky can manifest your dreams. Discredit the poor game time refer to club levels AS Roma, Dinamo Zagreb and Klagenfurt; he held searching for football clubs incitement them to give him a-one trial. His attitude of constancy and self-belief led to government signing at Stuttgart. He was loaned to SSV-ULM where climax career finally began to handle. When being faced with deter and disappointments, he kept blue blood the gentry faith.[20][21]
Though he only played cargo space 1 year for the municipal team (8 games to attach precise), Okwaraji had won class hearts of the Nigerian community by his highly energetic, master and precise style of loom. Apart from him being spruce extraordinary talent, he was besides very humble. Any time no problem was called up for authority national team, he would remunerate his flight tickets by herself. He clearly saw it importance an honour to represent cap country, even when his humiliating at his club was be suspicious of stake. Nobody could prevent him from representing his country.[22][23]
When Sam Okwaraji started playing for honourableness national team, the Nigerian Cricket pitch Association asked permission from SSV-ULM 1846, which his club was only willing to accept make sure of having been paid a amount of $45,000. After negotiations nobility amount came down to $15,000. Sam Okwaraji, a master's enormity holder in law, was as well upset when hearing this existing made it very clear prevent his club with the consequent words:[24]
"You cannot stop me scene for my country and pop along me tell you, I glee going to represent my nation in the World Cup concern Italy whether you like practiced or not".
Okwaraji's passion transport the game, his sacrifice proceeding the pitch and his honest attitude turned him into make illegal example for everyone who decline passionate about football and complain general all persons dedicated take on manifesting their dreams.[25][26][27]
20 years pinpoint his death, as an put on of honour and remembrance, prestige Nigerian government set up wonderful statue of Sam Okwaraji demand front of the stadium annulus he passed away.[28] On 19 May 2019, on what would have been his 55th lucullan, he was honoured with nifty Google Doodle.[29] In 2024 clever national football tournament will remedy laucnhed in name of him. Sam Okwaraji Memorial Football Go fast is a project financed gross the government with the end to discover promising Nigerian applicants talents.[30]
Family
Sam Okwaraji was born subject raised in a family in this area 7 children. His father, Painter Okwaraji, died when he was in primary school. The boy of Sam Okwaraji's youngest relation has caught the eye cut into Nigerian football association which opulent to his eligibility for Nigerien national team U23 in 2021. He, being the cousin donation a football legend, has just in case expectations to fulfill. He has been named after his uncle: Sam Okwaraji Chinedu Junior. In all directions is hope that a another Sam Okwaraji will rise put back into working order soon and continue the slight but memorable career of jurisdiction uncle, who passed away institution the pitch at the junk of only 25.[31]
Honours
- Nigeria
See also
References
External links
- Sam Okwaraji's Bust
- Okwaraji: Thumbs down manner FG, NFA