Late Sam Okwaraji, Reason Super Eagles Must Beat Angola — Etim Esin

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.

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