Football fans in Ebonyi have remembered Samuel Okwaraji, the late Super Eagles midfield gem, who died during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Angola on Aug. 12, 1989.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Okwaraji, who was then playing for Berchem Football Club of Belgium, slumped from congestive heart failure in the 77th minute of the “Italia 1990” World Cup qualifier played in Lagos.

Nigeria later won the match 1-0, but the incident continues to cast a grim shadow over the country’s football history, given Okwaraji’s positive impact during his brief stint with the national team.

Jerome Ezeoba, a football historian, said he was inside the packed National Stadium, Lagos, watching the match played under a scorching August sun.

“Okwaraji’s slumping was so sudden as he had been running rings around opponents in the midfield from the onset of the match.

“The medics at the stadium tried resuscitating him to no avail, and he was rushed to the hospital where the grim news of his death was eventually broken to a dumbfounded nation,” he said.

Peter Afamefuna, former chairman of the Chelsea Football Club Fans Club in Abakaliki, said the stories he heard about Okwaraji motivated him in life.

“I grew up to learn that he was arguably the most patriotic footballer Nigeria ever produced, in spite of him being a master’s degree holder in law.

“The stories of how he paid for his airfares to national assignments and rejected match bonuses seemed like fairy tales, but they have been confirmed to be true,” he said.

Chief Benneth Okolo, a businessman and football enthusiast, said that beyond patriotism and humility, Okwaraji was a midfield jewel who thrilled fans with breathtaking skills.

“Okwaraji commanded the Super Eagles midfield with eye-catching football and ball-juggling skills before the likes of Augustine Okocha took centre stage.

“He was also a scintillating goalscorer, and his thunderbolt against Cameroon in a group game at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations still ranks among the tournament’s all-time goals,” he said.

Also speaking, Judith Amadi, a teacher and native of Umudioka in Orlu, Imo, the same town with Okwaraji, expressed concern over what she described as the neglect of Okwaraji’s memory by successive governments and the nation’s football fraternity.

“Sam, as we fondly called him, laid down his life for the nation, yet several promises made to his family by various quarters remain unfulfilled.

“We are pained that no one talks about this football legend anymore, as this was the man who brought Umudioka to the national and global map,” she said

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, tendered the apology on behalf of the federation, the Super Falcons and the entire Nigerian football family in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Gusau said the federation recognised the disappointment caused to millions of Nigerians who passionately supported the team throughout the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

He acknowledged the Federal Government’s support for the Super Falcons, particularly the recognition and rewards given to the team following their previous WAFCON triumph.

“We wish to extend a special and heartfelt apology to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic, Bola Tinubu, for this disappointment.

“It is  with genuine humility and regret that we acknowledge that we have not been able to repay that confidence with the outcome expected at this stage,” Gusau said.

He also apologised to the National Assembly, National Sports Commission (NSC), sponsors, stakeholders and millions of Nigerian supporters at home and abroad for the disappointing outcome.

The NFF president, however, said the Super Falcons still had an opportunity to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the CAF play-off pathway.

“A window of opportunity remains through the CAF play-off pathway, and the Super Falcons are determined to fight for one of the two available CAF play-off tickets,” he said.

Gusau said the NFF, technical team and players remained committed to securing Nigeria’s place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup through the available qualification routes.

“The NFF will also undertake an honest assessment of our preparation, technical planning, logistics and overall operations, with a determination to identify areas requiring improvement.

“We hear the disappointment of Nigerians, we share it and we accept our responsibility. But we are not giving up,” he added.