The Last 90 Minutes Of Samuel Okwaraji
By Saheed Afolabi
Samuel Okwaraji was a known name in the Nigeria football ecosystem through his exploits and untimely death. He combined his football and Law career, a rare combination among his contemporaries.
Okwaraji carrying the hopes of millions of Nigerians entered the National Stadium, Surulere beaming with hunger for success and ready to unleash his mercurial skills in the famous World Cup qualifier against Angola on August 12, 1989.
The electric atmosphere in the stadium already made the opponents tremble and gave the Nigeria team the much needed encouragement as fans trooped out in their numbers to cheer the Green Eagles as they are known then to victory.
Okwaraji who was already a member of the team knew what’s at stake, made the starting team alongside the late Stephen Keshi who were entrusted to achieve Nigeria’s objective against the Angolans.
Keshi however found the back of the net minutes before the halftime to give Green Eagles the lead in the closely competitive encounter which pulled fans in their numbers to the stadium.
The second half grew more tensed as Angola established their selves into the game while Nigeria held unto their narrow lead in the firecely contested tie.
Angola determined to find an equalizer in the increasingly tensed atmosphere while the fans hold on to their breath and hoped for Nigeria to win in order to avoid a heartbreak on home ground.
Nigeria mercurial midfielder, Okwaraji controlled the midfield while cutting off the attack of the Angolans with his high work rate and exceptional intelligence.
Tragedy strucked in the 77 minutes when suddenly, Okwaraji collapsed on the pitch as medical team, teammates ran to his rescue which made the football contest become secondary as attention was focused on the shining light in the Green Eagles midfield while spectators watched in utter disbelief and surprised about the situation that just played out in their very own eyes.
Regardless of efforts of the medical team to save Okwaraji, the midfield maestro gave up the ghost due to heart failure which left the whole pitch dumbfounded.
At just 25, Nigeria lost a football jewel who was in his prime. A age where his contemporaries are beginning to reach their most productive moments in football.
Despite the calamity that happened on the pitch, Nigeria were still able to grind out a lone goal victory against the Angolans.
In spite of the win, the Nigeria football community couldn’t celebrate the win as they mourn the loss of a treasured player who gave his all for his country.
The last 90 minutes of Okwaraji says a lot about his personality, hunger for success as he belongs to a generation of young players who adhered strictly that excellence can be pursued in two different fields.
Okwaraji came into the pitch chasing a dream to play at the World Cup, and left behind a legacy that has been the endured for decades but never got the chance to fly with the Super Eagles at the World showpiece.
