Remembering One of Nigeria's Greatest Football Players

Nigerian artist Olaku Abiodun is an indigene of Ogun State, who was born on 29th December 1958. He was trained by the world-renowned Nigerian artist Professor Yusuf Grillo and influenced by Kolade Oshinowo and the late Isiaka Osunde.

In this painting remembers one of Nigeria's football greats...

...in the person of the late Sam Okwaraji, depicted with his trademark dreadlocks.

Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji was born on the 19th May in 1964 and died on the 12th of August in 1989. He was a professional footballer who played internationally for Nigeria.

Okwaraji had a career in Europe which included playing for AS Roma, NK Dinamo Zagreb, Austria Klagenfurt, VfB Stuttgart and SSV Ulm 1846.

He made the Green Eagles squad in 1988. At that year's African Nations Cup, he scored one of the fastest goals in the history of the championship against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

His passing was an early sunset to a promising career that left Nigeria stunned.

Okwaraji collapsed and died ten minutes from the end of a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos. An autopsy showed that the 25-year-old had an enlarged heart and high blood pressure.

He was known for his exceptional football talent, his humility and patriotism.

Promises to honour him and cater for his family manifested in a bust outside the national stadium.

Perhaps, the reason he casts a dejected figure, and the onlookers stand motionless.

The artists use of black and grey tones to depict silhouettes and shadows, creates the perfect mood for this painting. Olaku Abiodun couldn't have titled the artwork any better. It is indeed a representation of'A glimpse of glory'.