Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji (1964 - August 12, 1989) was a professional footballer who played internationally for Nigeria. Born in Orlu, Okwaraji had a career in Europe which included playing for Dinamo Zagreb, VfB Stuttgart and SSV Ulm. In his short stay with Dinamo Zagreb Samuel scored 3 goals in a friendly game vs NK Budućnost Hodošan. The game was played on 30.04.1986. and Dinamo Zagreb won 12:0. Samuel's only official game for Dinamo in Yugoslavian league was on 18.05.1086. vs KF Pristina. The game was played at Maksimir stadium in Zagreb, it was 29. round of 1985/86 season. Dinamo won 4:3 and Samuel was a substitute in that game.

Okwaraji collapsed ten minutes from the end of a World Cup Qualifier against Angola in Lagos and died from congestive heart failure. An autopsy showed that the 24-year-old had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure. The sudden death was similar to that of Marc-Vivien Foé 14 years later.

References

13 Years After

Sam Okwaraji's Bust

Okwaraji: Thumbs down for FG, NFA