What killed Sam Okwaraji????

*The Untold Story Of what killed Samuel Okwaraji, the legendary Nigerian player who died while playing against India.*
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As I am writing this, I am struggling to plug a wall of emotions with a stoic face. General Kollington Ayinla’s Late Okwaraji which has filled my room with its sober and somber lines is not helping matters. Hmmm….there is no way one will tell the story of SAMUEL SOCHUKWUMA OKWARAJI without feeling the pain of the loss gnawing at your heart, and as your head swells with patriotic pride, your lacrimal glands conspire to betray you.

For millions of Nigerians, the most fabled soccer player is none other than this gentleman. Many grew up listening to incredibly woven and mesmerizing story of how he gave up the ghost while Nigeria was playing against India.

After Nigeria had defeated India by a world-record-breaking 99-0, and were on the verge of making it 100-0 and completing the humiliating defeat of the Hindus, they decided to summon their magical powers.

Then the horror started. Within a matter of seconds, the Indian goalkeeper transformed into a lion and the football turned into a rock-hard stone, both of which were visible only to Okwaraji.
But Okwaraji was unrelenting, he wanted to score.

Then he kicked the ball of stone. Well, you know the rest of the fantastic lore. Whoever came up with such a brutally false but imaginative story deserves more than 99 knocks. On the other hand, the story and the circumstances of his death turned Samuel Okwaraji into the most fabled footballer in Nigerian history.

It’s been almost 24 years now since he slumped and died while proudly representing our dear nation. I am sure I am not the only one missing the footballing genius from Umudioka community.

This piece is in his honour and memory. For the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain…

*SCHOOLING*
-He attended WTC Practicing School, Enugu for his primary education then proceeded to Ezeachi Secondary School, Orlu, Imo State. Later, he went to Federal Government College, Orlu where he was with the very first set admitted and had a brilliant academic performance there.

A serious-minded chap, he bagged both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in International Law, and yes, he could speak five languages -English, German, Italian, Spanish and of course, his native Igbo. Give it to him, he was an intellectual giant -flawlessly combining academic rigours with footballing talents.

According to his mother, Sam could be a lawyer and a footballer at the same time but he believed playing was a better career path for him. Sorry, lawyers…lol

*DEATH*
On the 12th of August, 1989, while he was playing for Nigeria in a 2nd round World Cup Qualifier match (Group C, Italia World Cup) against Angola, Samuel Okwaraji slumped on the pitch and died immediately.

It was 77 minutes into the match. Right there, in front of 20,000 Nigerians at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the Green Eagles were thrown into disarray while the Palancas Negras of Angola forgot the competition and joined in the futile attempts to revive him. His body was then taken to the National Stadium Clinic where he was covered up, and from there to the General Hospital.

The thousands of Nigerians who came to cheer him to glory left the stadium under a dark cloud of grief. Many would never forget that ominous day. It was just 10 minutes to the final whistle. Okwaraji was 25. Autopsy revealed he died from high blood pressure-induced congestive heart failure (which occurs when the heart is unable to provide sufficient pump action to ensure enough blood goes round the body).

His heart was discovered to be enlarged -not a good sign in medicine. Okwaraji literally played his heart out for Nigeria. He had just signed a $500,000 contract with Berchem FC of Antwerp, Belgium.

*BURIAL*
Upon hearing the sad news on the 12th of August 1989, the entire Umudioka Community in Imo State was thrown into understandable sorrow and mourning.

Umudioka had just lost one of its brightest stars. But you know, as the saying goes, there is no place like home .

The saddened and bereaved people of the community came together and organized a most befitting burial for a true Nigerian hero. The Traditional Ruler of Umudioka, Igwe Solomon Nwafor Chukwunulu (Ezedioka I), now of blessed memory, co-ordinated a very impressive event which ensured that thousands of Umudioka children at home and abroad came home to honour one of their own.

The Igwe was supported by other prominent figures in the community, like Chief A. N. Onyejegbu, the Ide of Umudioka, Chief Fidelis Ejiofor, the Ichie Ezeyim and many others.

*LEGACY AND REMEMBRANCE*
Millions of Nigerians mourned his passing with many musicians like General Kollington Ayinla and Oliver de Coque waxing songs in his honour. On the 12th of August, 2009, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State unveiled a concrete bust of Samuel Okwaraji in the Rededicated Memorial Garden in his honour in front of the same stadium where he died.

The structure is about 7ft high and is placed on marble but as at September 2012, the whole place was already overgrown with weeds and trees which obscure the bust from sight of passersby Yes, you gerrit, no maintenance.

It was to mark the 20th anniversary of his passing. Governor Fashola said of him:‘Literally, Sam was ready to die for his country and I believe he demonstrated that before he died and by the circumstances leading to his death.’

In 2012, In Sammy Boots, a sports movie was made in his honour by 360 Degree Entertainment. The movie was specially made for children. Former NFA Chairman, Captain Obakpolor was so moved and touched by Okwaraji’s patriotism that he proposed that the 12th of August on which he died be made a National Patriotic Day.

His mother today expresses her pain and agony, almost 24 years after:
That has been my pain all these years…they did not do anything to immortalize that boy…he gave his life, gave his money, gave his education…everything…for his country….he slumped at the National Stadium…if you go there now, you will his skull on the gate (referring to the bust), is that the way to immortalize him?

They should re-immortalize him because
He deserves it because he is a hero, he is a patriot. That is what I want….they should immortalize him, there are various ways they can do it..at least naming the National Stadium itself after him….he has done more than all of those big men…

Source: Spy Nigeria.