Sam Okwaraji was the secret weapon of victory in the crucial game against Algeria for a Seoul 88 Olympics football qualifier played at Nnamdi Azikwe stadium.
The then SSV-ULM 1848 player waltzed through the defense of the Algerians with ease to help Nigeria secure a victory and tickect to the seoul 88 Olympic football games.
Shortly after the victory the late soccer icon had a dream of Nigeria football he shared with some dalies and magazines of the time.
“I know I’ am a good player, I’m not afraid to play against the Brazilians or any team.
“But, its time me dominated African football and we are going to do it. We have a nice side that was good enough to beat a team like Algeria,” we had said,
Sam was discovered in 1987 while having a work-out with then Iwuanyanwu National (now Heartland) football club of Owerri during his vacation. Learning of the exploits of this soccer wiz-kid, then NFA boss, John Obakpolor had no option than to jet out to Wet Germany to secure his release to play for the country.
It is also on record that Okwaraji was a national junior table temis champion for Anambra and Imo academicals team. He played alongside Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Mike Obi and late Ben Okorogwu before jetting out of Nigeria in 1983 to read international law at Catholic Poutifica University in Rome Italy.
Sam incidentally shamped and died in the Crucial Italia 90 FIFA world cup qualifier against the main bowl of the National Stadium, Suruhere, Lagos on August 12,1989.
Nigeria managed a 1-0 win over Angola in that match, but was however eliminated by Cameroon at the final game played in Yaounde, Cameroon,
At the point of Okwaji’s death he held a masters degree in law and was putting finishing touches to his doctorate degree programme.
He would be remembered forever for his dread lock and smooth style of play. As one writer puts it,
“Sam left the game a mysteriously as he came into it, and would be remembered for his great patriotism by generations of Nigerians,” the writer said.
