Sam Okoye (1
May 1980 – 31 August 2005) was a Nigerian football goalkeeper who represented Nigeria during the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Career
A native of Lagos, Sam Okoye was on a
test period in 2005 with the Iranian Azadegan League club Sorkhpooshan Delvar Afzar F.C..
He was first choice goalkeeper for Rangers International of
Enugu for several years and later Enyimba of Aba before leaving for Iran after
trying unsuccessfully to play in Europe. Sam was a complete goalkeeper noted
for his superb reflexes, agility and composure between the sticks. He can be
described as Nigeria's Jose Chilavert though he was not controversial or a
set-piece expert.
In spite of his abilities, Sam Okoye was not given a look-in by
Nigeria's football coaches at international competitions after the U-20 World
Youth Championship in 1999. However he was part of Nigeria's squad to Sydney
2000 Olympic Games where team handler Jo Bonfere picked Greg Etafia, who was
much of a left-footer and visibly lacked ambidexterity, ahead of him much to
the surprise of millions of Nigerian fans.
Sam [in jersey number 18] is the
only squad member who did not feature in Nigeria's 4 games at the Olympics.
Until his demise, Sam Okoye never made the squad to the African
Cup of Nations and the World Cup.
Death
Four months after his 25th birthday, whilst
living in Teheran, he reportedly died there after a few days' illness. The
cause and circumstances of his death have not been adequately elucidated and
Iranian authorities did not release his remains for repatriation and burial in
Nigeria until May 2006. The duo of Daniel Olerum and Sunny Okoye disclosed from the Iranian capital, Tehran that
officials of Sorkh Poushan FC have agreed to foot the flight bills of the late
footballer.
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