As Etim Esin Pays Tribute To Sam Okwaraji, Did The 71st Minute Yellow Card Connect One Of Nigeria’s Saddest Deaths {Video}

As Etim Esin Pays Tribute To Sam Okwaraji

OpenLife News reports that 37 years after Nigeria recorded one of its saddest deaths in soccer, Etim Esin 59, a retired Nigerian international footballer and one of the most gifted players in Nigeria’s football history, has paid glowing tribute to Samuel Okwaraji.

On a Saturday afternoon, August 12, 1989, Samuel Okwaraji collapsed and died in the 77th minute of a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Nigeria and Angola at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

He was 25 years old. An autopsy later showed he suffered a congestive heart failure due to high blood pressure and an enlarged heart (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).

37 years down the lane, Samuel Okwaraji is still remembered as a hero who died playing for Nigeria.
A passionate midfielder and qualified lawyer with a master’s degree, he played with high energy on that fateful day.

In the 71st minute, the referee gave him a yellow card. Just six minutes later, in the 77th minute, he suddenly collapsed on the pitch without any contact or foul.

Medical personnel rushed to help him, but he passed away before he could be revived.
Story has it that he was widely celebrated for his deep patriotism, often paying for his own travel expenses to play for Nigeria and refusing match bonuses.

His death remains one of the saddest moments in Nigerian football history.

However, 37 years after, some analyst feel that the 71st minute yellow card issued Sam Okwaraji may have added to the already soaked tension on the field of play, resulting to the collapse at the 77th minute.

But, till date, there’s no medical evidence linking the 71st minute yellow card to Sam Okwaraji’s collapse at the 77th minute.
According to reports, the yellow card itself didn’t cause his death.

What Likely Happened

Sam Okwaraji was already in distress, and the added exertion + stress of the game pushed his heart past its limit. The booking may have been a sign he was struggling, not the cause.

Timeline Report

1. 71st minute: He got a yellow card after a challenge. He was already looking exhausted.
2. 77th minute: He slumped and collapsed on the pitch. He was rushed to hospital but was confirmed dead.

Cause of Death

The official autopsy and medical reports concluded he died of congestive heart failure due to an underlying heart condition.

Doctors Listed Contributing Factors

– Enlarged heart / hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – an undiagnosed condition
– Extreme heat and humidity in Lagos that day
– Exhaustion and dehydration – he played the full game in intense conditions
– Stress from the match

Why People Connect the Two

1. The yellow card happened just 6 minutes before he collapsed, so it sticks in people’s memory.
2. He had been running a lot and looked tired before the booking.
3. Fans wanted something “visible” to explain the tragedy.

But cardiologists who reviewed the case said his death would have likely happened even without the card — it was the cumulative physical stress on a heart that couldn’t handle it.

Football History

Early football in Nigeria

– Club: Started with Edo Boys in Benin City, then moved to Stationery Stores in Lagos.
– He was known even then as a hardworking midfielder with brains. He was also in university at the same time.

Europe – “The Scholar Footballer”

Okwaraji was unusual because he was playing pro football while studying law and getting a Masters in International Law.

European Clubs

1. AS Roma, Italy 1984-1985 – Signed but didn’t get many games. He was loaned out.
2. NK Dinamo Zagreb, Yugoslavia 1985-1986 – Loan spell
3. SSV Ulm 1846, West Germany 1986-1987 – Played regularly here. This is where he got the most pro minutes.
4. KSV Hessen Kassel, West Germany 1987-1988
5. VfB Stuttgart II / Berliner FC Dynamo 1988-1989 – His last club

He never became a star in Europe, but he was respected for his discipline, intelligence on the ball, and work rate. Teammates called him “The Professor” because he’d go to lectures after training.

Super Eagles – Nigeria National Team

This is where he’s most remembered.
– Debut: 1988
– Caps: 8 official appearances
– Goals: 1 goal

Tournaments

1. 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco – Nigeria finished 2nd. Okwaraji played a key midfield role and scored against Algeria in the group stage.
2. 1988 Seoul Olympics – Played for Nigeria U23
3. 1990 World Cup Qualifiers – The game vs Angola in Lagos where he collapsed was part of this.

His Style

He was a Box-to-box midfielder with lots of energy, good passing, and he tracked back a lot. Coach Manfred Hoener loved him because he followed instructions perfectly.

Why He Is Remembered

Even though he only played 2 years for the Super Eagles, Nigerians loved him because:

1. He paid his own way to come for national team camps sometimes
2. He was educated – LLB + Masters, and was about to be called to the Nigerian Bar
3. He died in a Super Eagles jersey fighting for the country

FIFA and CAF still mention him when talking about player welfare. The National Stadium Gate 3 in Lagos was renamed after him.

Etim Esin Pays Tribute

In a glowing tribute which has gone viral on the internet, Etime Esin described Sam Okwaraji as a good friend, a “close ally” in the Super Eagles.
Etim also remembers him as the first player to introduce deadlocks to football in the country. He prayed for the repose of his soul.

“Rest in peace. I will always love you as a brother,” Etim said.

The video below: