Okwaraji’s memorial match has healed our wounds - Kpakor
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- Written by David Ngobua
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Former Policeman of Nigerian football, Coach Moses Kpakor who scored in one of the matches organized to commemorate late Samuel Okwaraji who slumped and died twenty years ago while playing for Nigeria against Angola in the 1990 World Cup qualifiers has said the memorial match has healed so many wounds just as he dedicated his goal to the fallen hero.
On Wednesday, two matches, one between a national selection of players known as Home Based Eagles vs the Flying Eagles and the other one between Team Okwaraji and All Stars International were played simultaneously in Abuja and Lagos to commemorate Okawarji’ death on August 12 1999 inside the mainbowl of the National stadium in Lagos.
In Abuja, the Flying Eagles piped Home based Eagles 2-1 while in Lagos, Team Okwaraji defeated All Stars International 2-1 with former internationals Moses Kpakor and Friday Ekpo scoring.
Speaking to Trustsports on the commemorative match Kpakor commended the governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola for deeming it necessary to foot the bills for the commemorative match saying by that singular act, the governor he has been able to heal a lot of wounds.
He said the effort of the governor and other well meaning Nigerians is an indication that those of them who made the nation proud in the past have not been forgotten.
“I want to thank the governor of Lagos State for remembering our late colleague. What he has done is commendable and it will go a long way in healing our wounds” he stated.
Kpakor went on to describe Fashola as Nigeria’s real pillar of sports since the demise of late politician and philanthropist Bashorun MKO Abiola.
Speaking on the goal he scored, the former international said he felt so happy with the goal because that was the only gift he could give to his late team mate.
He disclosed that he still harbours fond memories of the super mid-fielder who did not last long on the Nigerian football scene but was able to leave an indelible mark with his superlative performances.
Kpakor maintained that the late player gave his all for the country and died in active service to the fatherland and so something tangible should be done to immortalize him.
“It is a thing of joy that God made it possible for me to feature in that important match. I did not only feature but scored one of the goals that gave victory to Team Okwaraji. I dedicate the goal to him because that is exactly what he would have loved to continue doing for his fatherland.
“Furthermore, I want the federal government to do more to immortalize the fallen hero. He deserves an edifice that will forever keep him in the memory of Nigerians. I have none in mind at the moment but authorities should know what is good for such a patriotic Nigerian” he said
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Okwaraji’s memorial match has healed our wounds - Kpakor
Category: Sports Written by David Ngobua Hits: 616
Former Policeman of Nigerian football, Coach Moses Kpakor who scored in one of the matches organized to commemorate late Samuel Okwaraji who slumped and died twenty years ago while playing for Nigeria against Angola in the 1990 World Cup qualifiers has said the memorial match has healed so many wounds just as he dedicated his goal to the fallen hero.
On Wednesday, two matches, one between a national selection of players known as Home Based Eagles vs the Flying Eagles and the other one between Team Okwaraji and All Stars International were played simultaneously in Abuja and Lagos to commemorate Okawarji’ death on August 12 1999 inside the mainbowl of the National stadium in Lagos.
In Abuja, the Flying Eagles piped Home based Eagles 2-1 while in Lagos, Team Okwaraji defeated All Stars International 2-1 with former internationals Moses Kpakor and Friday Ekpo scoring.
Speaking to Trustsports on the commemorative match Kpakor commended the governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola for deeming it necessary to foot the bills for the commemorative match saying by that singular act, the governor he has been able to heal a lot of wounds.
He said the effort of the governor and other well meaning Nigerians is an indication that those of them who made the nation proud in the past have not been forgotten.
“I want to thank the governor of Lagos State for remembering our late colleague. What he has done is commendable and it will go a long way in healing our wounds” he stated.
Kpakor went on to describe Fashola as Nigeria’s real pillar of sports since the demise of late politician and philanthropist Bashorun MKO Abiola.
Speaking on the goal he scored, the former international said he felt so happy with the goal because that was the only gift he could give to his late team mate.
He disclosed that he still harbours fond memories of the super mid-fielder who did not last long on the Nigerian football scene but was able to leave an indelible mark with his superlative performances.
Kpakor maintained that the late player gave his all for the country and died in active service to the fatherland and so something tangible should be done to immortalize him.
“It is a thing of joy that God made it possible for me to feature in that important match. I did not only feature but scored one of the goals that gave victory to Team Okwaraji. I dedicate the goal to him because that is exactly what he would have loved to continue doing for his fatherland.
“Furthermore, I want the federal government to do more to immortalize the fallen hero. He deserves an edifice that will forever keep him in the memory of Nigerians. I have none in mind at the moment but authorities should know what is good for such a patriotic Nigerian” he said