As is the custom of the global search engine, Google Doodle celebrated the posthumous birthday of late Nigerian professional footballer, Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji.
The Google Doodle is a notable, temporary alteration of the logo on Google’s homepages intended to pay tribute to exceptional historical figures, celebrate achievements, events and holidays.
Samuel Okwaraji
Okwaraji was born on May 19, 1964, to Janet Okwaraji and David Okwaraji.
Prior to his ill-timed death on August 12, 1989, while in action for Nigeria during a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola, the late Okwaraji was one of Nigeria’s most tactical forwards in his time.
Okwaraji’s football career enjoyed a stretch of successes with European football clubs including AS Roma, Austria Klagenfurt, NK Dinamo Zagreb, VfB Stuttgart and SSV Ulm.
Alongside being an accomplished footballer, Okwaraji was also a qualified lawyer with a masters degree in International Law from the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.
While in action for Nigeria in his last game against Angola at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere, the football whiz collapsed in the 77th minute after suffering a cognitive heart failure.
All attempts to revive him failed as he was quickly rushed to the emergency ward.
An autopsy report revealed that the 25 year old had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure. His heart condition spiked during the game, leading to his death.
Source: Google Doodle
Featured image source: Punch Newspapers