Former Super Eagles midfielder, Etim Esin, has encouraged the Nigerian national football team to secure a victory against Angola in the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final match in Ivory Coast.
Esin said the match is of particular significance as it serves as a tribute to the late Sam Okwaraji, who tragically passed away during a match against Angola in 1990.
Okwaraji, then 25, collapsed and died while playing in a World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium, Lagos, on August 12. The match against Angola, which ended in a 1-0 win for Nigeria, was marred by the untimely death of the talented midfielder.
The same day also witnessed the death of five fans due to overcrowding in the 40,000-capacity stadium.
The Super Eagles, having recently defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the round of 16, now face Angola in the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON.
Reflecting on his personal connection with Okwaraji, Esin, who shared a room with him and played alongside him on that fateful day, expressed his sorrow and the enduring impact of the loss.
Esin is hopeful that the Eagles will replicate their past victory over Angola by at least a 1-0 margin, mirroring the scoreline from 35 years ago. He acknowledges the threat posed by the Angolan team but remains confident in the Eagles’ ability to win.
“Sam was my roommate. The thought of not seeing him again didn’t cross our minds. It’s really sad and it’s been so hard for me to forget about him because I was on the field with him that day. We had a dream for the 1990 World Cup, but it’s unfortunate because his death took away those dreams,” Esin said in a The PUNCH interview.
“I want the Eagles to beat Angola in their next game on Friday in memory of the late Okwaraji because it will mean a lot. That same year, we defeated Cameroon before facing Angola and the boys did the same by beating Cameroon 2-0 in Abidjan. I hope they will beat Angola by at least 1-0, the same scoreline with which we defeated them 35 years ago.
“We know the Angolans can be dangerous but the Eagles just need to win the game.”
Okwaraji’s legacy extends beyond the pitch, as he was known for his academic achievements, holding a Masters in International Law, and his generosity, often paying his own airfares and declining allowances from the Football Association.
Eagles fans and the football community at large are set to witness what promises to be an emotionally charged and significant match in of a beloved football icon.
