THE STORY OF AN UNSUNG HERO AND LEGEND.

Nigerians today,celebrate Messi and Ronaldo,but forgot one of our finest and the  most educated footballer in the history of football,who died serving Nigeria without a shishi in the field.

Late Sam  Sochukwuma Okwaraji,was born on the 19th of May,1964 in Orlu,IMO State "Governor Rochas take note".

He was a professional player,who had his masters degree in international law from the University of Rome and later Ph.D Law.

He collapsed and died of congestive heart failure while playing for a world cup qualifier against Angola in the 77th minute at the Lagos national stadium, Surulere, lagos on the 12th of August,1989.

 This young man,never received any dime from the government, he paid for his flight tickets anytime, he was called upon for national duty just to help his Fatherland. I call on Governor Rochas Okorocha,to honour him in Imo State.

                 FOOTBALL CAREER.

Youth career
1984–1985	AS Roma
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1986	Dinamo Zagreb	1	(0)
1986–1987	Austria Klagenfurt	?	(?)
1987–1989	VfB Stuttgart	0	(0)
1987–1988	→ SSV Ulm (loan)	28	(5)

He made the Green Eagles squad in 1988 and at that year's African Nations Cup he scored one of the fastest goals in the history of the championship against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. He played along until the final match, where the Eagles lost to their perennial rivals Cameroon by a lone goal.

 Okwaraji had a career in Europe which included playing for AS Roma (1984-1985), NK Dinamo Zagreb (1985-1986), Austria Klagenfurt (1986-1987), VfB Stuttgart (1987-1989) and SSV Ulm 1846 (loan) (1987-1988) while finishing his education in law. In his short stay with Dinamo Zagreb, Samuel scored 3 goals in a friendly game vs NK Budućnost Hodošan. The game was played on 30 April 1986, and Dinamo Zagreb won 12-0. Samuel's only official game for Dinamo in the Yugoslav First League was as a substitute on 18 May 1986 against FK Priština. The game was played at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, the 29th round of 1985/86 season. Dinamo Zagreb won 4:3.

Today,you are being celebrated to remind younger Nigerians, soccer lovers that a man like you,once existed and that you paid the supreme price for your Fatherland.

May God bless your family and may you find rest in him.