Benson Chukwu
Nigeria mourns the loss of Lawrence Onweazu Okonji, a revered former national team striker, at 83.
Renowned for his contributions to Nigerian football, Okonji rose to prominence as a member of the Green Eagles (now the Super Eagles) from 1963 to 1973.
A skilled forward, he shared the pitch with legends like Joseph Erico, Peter Anieke, Paul Hamilton, and Sebastian Brodricks—all of whom later transitioned into coaching roles with the national teams.
Okonji delivered standout performances in international clashes, facing sides such as England’s Queens Park Rangers and Germany’s Fortuna Düsseldorf.
His career reached a historic pinnacle on June 6, 1973, when he netted the last goal at Lagos City Stadium (now Mobolaji Johnson Arena) during a farewell match between NEPA and Stationery Stores, marking the closure of the iconic venue that once hosted football royalty, including Pelé.
Beyond the national stage, Okonji played for influential domestic clubs like Sharks, NEPA Lagos, Port Authority Lagos, and Aba Giant Killers (modern-day Enyimba).
Post-retirement, he transitioned into coaching, mentoring teams such as NEPA FC, Guinness FC, Lagos Academicals, Benin Republic’s Requins de l’Atlantique FC, and Delta Force (previously DSC FC).
His legacy as a player and coach remains etched in Nigerian football history.
Ayomide Olaniyan
