Nigeria was robbed of a footballing great who would have turned 55 on this day in football as May 19 marks the birthday of former Green Eagles midfielder, Samuel Okwaraji.
Okwaraji made his debut for the Green Eagles in 1988 and scored one of the fastest goals in Africa Cup of Nations history in a 1-1 draw against Cameroon in the group stage of the 1988 edition of the competition which saw the Nigerian team finish runners-up to the Cameroonians.
Born on this day in 1964, the Orlu, Imo State native starred for Italian side, AS Roma’s youth team between 1984 and 1985 before joining Dinamo Zagreb.
His spell with the Croatian club was followed by spells at Austria Klagenfurt, VfB Stuttgart in Germany and on loan at SSV Ulm also in Germany.
Okwaraji collapsed 13 minutes from the end of a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola played at the National Stadium in Lagos and died from congestive heart failure on August 12, 1989. An autopsy showed that the 25-year-old had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure.
And to mark his posthumous birthday, the football world paid tribute to the former midfielder – including the Nigeria Football Federation, Google, and other football fans all over social media.
“A posthumous birthday to the very patriotic Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji. Keep resting in peace,” wrote the NFF on Twitter while paying tribute to the late midfielder.
The NFF
✔@thenff
A posthumous birthday to the very patriotic Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji. Keep resting in peace.
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Search engine giants, Google, paid tribute to the Nigerian football great with a doodle dedicated to him.
Did you know he was a lawyer? Rest in peace to a Nigerian football hero.
Nigerian Infopedia@nigerianfopedia
We remember Samuel Okwaraji, footballer and lawyer, born 19th May, 1964 and died of a heart attack on 12th August, 1989 in a match against Angola...RIP to a Nigerian Hero #SAMOKWARAJI
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Oluwashina Okeleji
✔@oluwashina
He slumped and died during a 1990 #WorldCup qualifier (#Nigeria v #Angola) in Lagos. #GoogleDoodle
Midfielder starred for Nigeria at AFCON 1988.
.@Google have paid a truly brilliant tribute to midfielder Samuel Okwaraji on what would have been his 55th birthday
1964-1989.
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Many may have fallen for the folk tale that he died in that fabled match against India, but that was not the case. as it was in Lagos against Angola he passed on while serving his country through the game he loved.
“He did not die in that fictitious “Nigeria 1 vs 99 India” match rather he died in the 77th after suffering a heart failure in a match against Angola,” wrote a fan on social media.
Hidden_Mirror
@Capt_Deen
Google celebrates Samuel Okwaraji's 55th posthumous birthday with a nice doodle.
He did not die in that fictitious "Nigeria 1 vs 99 India" match rather he died in the 77th after suffering a heart failure in a match against Angola. #RIPSamuelOkwaraji
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Other football fans paid their tributes to the former Nigeria national team star.
Unu amaro kam si kwado@AfamDeluxo
Gone but not forgotten. His name is Samuel Okwaraji. He died exactly 30years ago today. Most of us as kids were told he died in a match against India and that we were losing 100 - 0, he managed to score one goal for Nigeria and died
. Even Google is honouring him. A King.
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“Oh Okwaraji. Continue to rest in peace legend,” wrote another fan on social media.
El Joyous Bell@Blackfulani_
Oh Okwaraji , oh Okwaraji
Continue to Rest In Peace Legend.2
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“A posthumous birthday to the very patriotic Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji. Keep resting in peace.”
SportsWaka@sports_waka
A posthumous birthday to the very patriotic Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji. Keep resting in peace.#Legend #Okwaraji
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Other fans paid their tributes as well.
The_HIV_Curator@9jaDr
Happy post-humous birthday Samuel Okwaraji!
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SNPR@SmartAtuadi
On this day Samuel Okwaraji was born in the year 1964. He was a skilled footballer on his way to greatness before death took cut all hopes short on August 12, 1989.
Today he is remembered and celebrated by Google as he features on Google Doodle.
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Oladiti Dayo@OladitiDayo
As an entrepreneur or professional in any field, be dedicated, be passionate & be hardworking. So that when U die one day people can remember U for good. Kudos to the Google NG team as they honour Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji on his 55th posthumous birthday today.#GoogleDoodle
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Wale Adetona
✔@iSlimfit
Kudos to the Google NG team as they honour Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji on his 55th posthumous birthday today. (19 May 1964)
He slumped and died of heart failure in a World Cup qualification match against Angola at National Stadium Surulere, Lagos on 12 August 1989.#GoogleDoodle
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Strongbow@Real_Josh01
HBD Samuel S. Okwaraji, Rest on; in the bosom of father Abraham. we love you.
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Anambra 1st son
@UchePOkoye
Google honours Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji (19 May 1964 – 12 August 1989)who was a professional footballer, played internationally for Nigeria. He was also a qualified lawyer who had a masters in international law from the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.#GoogleDoodle
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Send in your posthumous birthday wishes to Sam Okwaraji in the comments section.
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