Former Nigerian international striker Lawrence Onweazu Okonji has died at the age of 83, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
A prominent figure in the Green Eagles squad now known as the Super Eagles, Okonji represented Nigeria between 1963 and 1973, featuring alongside celebrated players such as Joseph Erico, Peter Anieke, Paul Hamilton, and Sebastian Brodricks.
Okonji earned acclaim for several standout performances during his decade-long national team career, including appearances in high-profile friendlies against European sides such as Queens Park Rangers and Fortuna Düsseldorf. One of his most memorable moments came on June 6, 1973, when he scored the final goal at the historic Lagos City Stadium now the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in a symbolic farewell match before the facility’s closure for renovation.
At club level, Okonji played for some of Nigeria’s leading teams of the era, including Sharks, NEPA of Lagos, Port Authority of Lagos, and the Aba Giant Killers, now known as Enyimba. After retiring from active football, he made a successful transition into coaching, taking charge of several sides including NEPA FC Lagos, Guinness FC, and Delta Force.
Okonji’s contributions to Nigerian football both as a player and as a coach remain part of the sport’s rich legacy in the country.
