Former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, Christian Chukwu, MFR, has passed away.
The football icon reportedly died between 9:00 and 10:00 am on Saturday morning.
The news was confirmed by fellow football legend Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, who described Chukwu as a bosom friend and one of the greatest players in the country’s football history.
Odegbami stated that he received the tragic news from another teammate, Emmanuel Okala, MON, fondly known as Babuje.
“May Onyim find peace with our Creator in Heaven, and may his family find strength in this difficult moment,” Odegbami wrote in a heartfelt tribute.
Christian Chukwu, affectionately known as “Chairman,” was a central figure in Nigerian football for decades.
As captain, he led the national team, the Green Eagles, to their first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in 1980.
He later served as the head coach of the Super Eagles, contributing significantly to the development of Nigerian football on and off the pitch.
His death marks the end of an era for Nigerian sports, as tributes continue to pour in from fans, colleagues, and institutions across the country and beyond.
More details surrounding his passing and funeral arrangements are expected to be released by the family.
More details later…
