The National Stadium, Surulere was host to the Nigerian men's football team squared against Angola for a crunch 1990 World Cup qualifying game. In such gaudy fashion, the scenic atmosphere was charged with fervent chants from supporters of both sides. This sunny day seemed to hold a good omen for the two teams as the cordial climate looked permitting and promising.
Togolese referee Hounnake Kouassi blew viciously to flag the game's kick-off.
The match commenced with both sides playing like the field was a release valve for a long standing grudge between each other. 60,000 spectators watched keenly.
Seconds gave way to minutes. The Green Eagles found the back of the net one minute shy of the end of first half. Skipper, Stephen Keshi led this onslaught.
Second Half began with the Angolans seeking a much needed equalizer against a buoyed Nigerian side. This takes up most of the concluding half of the game. Nigeria's Head Coach seeking some renewed energy from his side opts for substitute midfielder Samuel Okwaraji in place of Ademola Adesina in the last quarter of the game.
All seems well till it appears a Green Eagles player is apparently down in the Angolan half after the ball lands midfield from the Nigerian goalkeeper's punt up field. This draws the attention of medical personnel, spectators and players especially after concerted efforts to nurse the player were met with no response.
Substitute, Samuel Okwaraji was the centre of this all.
He was stretchered off; the game crept on till the final whistle. A high-low note could best describe the end of this encounter for the Eagles. High because a valuable 3-point was earned, low because a cloud of uncertainty loomed over the coaching crew regarding the health status of hurt midfielder Samuel Okwaraji.
The next day, tabloids were awash with the spirit-shattering news of the footballer's death. The cause of death was reported to be due to an enlarged heart and high blood pressure. This event moderately sensitized the public to the value of sports' health & fitness.
Professional reports today state that the midfielder died almost immediately after his collapse on the field.
He is reported to have been only 25 years of age at the time of his death.
Bringing it home
Samuel Okwaraji's death was caused by Congestive Heart Failure – a state characterised by blocked blood vessels found in the muscle walls of the heart. These vessels are called Coronary Arteries.
The progression of this event is insidious i.e. it is gradual and tends to occur over a period of time. Sufferers of this condition experience elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, tiredness and shortness of breath. This is because the interior lining of the blood vessels gets clogged and blood getting to this area is required to be pumped at a much higher pressure.
In action, his blood pressure shot up due to the physical stress of running, playing the ball and shouting to his team mates. So an already fragile state of the player was subjected to more stress and rigour.
Truth be told, this didn't develop overnight. Comprehensive medical tests should have revealed this before the incident. The dearth of such practice in our health administration at that time cost the young chap his life.
Nicely written stuff. We shud see more of this..
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