Christian Chukwu, a revered figure in Nigerian football and former captain and coach of the Super Eagles, has died at the age of 74.
Reports indicate that the football icon passed away in the early hours of Saturday, although the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of this report.
The news was confirmed by his close friend and former teammate, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, who played alongside Chukwu in Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
“I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my dear friend and teammate, one of Nigeria’s greatest football legends, has passed away,” Odegbami shared. “Babuje, Emmanuel Okala, MON, broke the news to me just a few minutes ago. May ‘Onyim’ find eternal rest and may his family be comforted.”
Born on January 4, 1951, Chukwu enjoyed a distinguished playing career, most notably with Enugu Rangers, whom he captained to numerous domestic titles. He also led the club to continental success by winning the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.
Chukwu made history as the first Nigerian captain to lift the African Nations Cup, following a 3–0 triumph over Algeria in the 1980 final held in Lagos.
He later served as assistant to Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof during Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON victory, which also paved the way for the nation’s debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup that same year.
