Nigerian Football mourns as former Super Eagles Striker passes away

The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the death of former international striker Lawrence Onweazu Okonji at the age of 83.

Okonji was a key member of the national team, then known as the Green Eagles, during a distinguished decade-long career from 1963 to 1973.

He played alongside some of the nation's most celebrated talents, including Joseph Erico, Peter Anieke, Paul Hamilton, and Sebastian Brodricks.

Throughout his time with the national side, Okonji featured in several high-profile friendly matches against European clubs like Queens Park Rangers and Fortuna Düsseldorf.

One of his most enduring legacies was scoring the final goal at the historic Lagos City Stadium on June 6, 1973, in a farewell match before the venue, now the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, closed for major renovations.

At the club level, Okonji's career saw him play for some of Nigeria's top teams of that era, including Sharks, NEPA of Lagos, Port Authority of Lagos, and the Aba Giant Killers, who would later become the renowned Enyimba FC.

After hanging up his boots, Okonji successfully transitioned into coaching, managing several clubs such as NEPA FC Lagos, Guinness FC, and Delta Force.

His contributions as both a player and a coach have left an indelible mark on the history of Nigerian football.