By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Former Nigerian Striker, Lawrence Onweazu Okonji, has died at the age of 83.
Okonji was a prominent member of the Green Eagles — now known as the Super Eagles — and made his first appearance for the national team in 1963. He went on to represent Nigeria for a decade, featuring in several key matches until 1973.
During his international career, Okonji played alongside some of the country’s finest talents, including Joseph Erico, Peter Anieke, Paul Hamilton, and Sebastian Brodricks. Hamilton later coached the Super Eagles, while Erico and Brodricks both served as assistant coaches.
Brodricks also led the Golden Eaglets to victory at the inaugural FIFA U-16 World Championship in China in 1985.
Okonji’s standout performances in friendlies against clubs like Queens Park Rangers of England and Fortuna Düsseldorf of Germany remain fondly remembered.
One of the defining moments of his career came on 6 June 1973, when he scored the last official goal at the old Lagos City Stadium (now Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan) in a friendly between NEPA and Stationery Stores. The goal symbolised the closure of the historic venue that once hosted global icons including Pelé.
Okonji also represented Lagos State at the maiden National Sports Festival in 1973.
At club level, he featured for several notable sides including the defunct Sharks, NEPA of Lagos, Port Authority of Lagos and Aba Giant Killers (now Enyimba).
After retiring as a player, he ventured into coaching, managing teams such as NEPA FC Lagos, Guinness FC, Lagos Academicals, Requins de l’Atlantique FC of Benin Republic and Delta Force (formerly DSC FC).