August 12 remains a memorial date with Nigeria's football history. August 12, 1989, was remarkable for the death of patriotism in active service for Nigeria by Samuel Okwaraji, simply called SAM Okwaraji.
Sam Okwaraji displayed patriotic values, often refusing to receive match bonuses, as well as paying his travel expenses from Germany to Nigeria to play in the super Eagles.
Sam Okwaraji died on August 12, 1989, on the pitch in a 1990 World Cup qualifier match against Angola at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Sam, 25-year-old midfielder, fell on the turf in the 77th minute, taken off the pitch on stretcher, rushed to the hospital, and later confirmed dead from congestive heart failure.
Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 in that encounter to top Group C with 7 points in the African qualifier for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
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