The Super Eagles of Nigeria have confirmed the death of former captain and coach Christian Chukwu, as well as expressed their deepest sorrow. It was reported that the 74-year-old died in his hometown, Enugu, today, Saturday.
“The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow after it was confirmed that Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and later coached the team, had died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday.”
General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said:
“We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision, and consistency.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, as well as Nigeria’s football fraternity, the fortitude to bear this big loss.”
Chukwu was part of the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana, respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament.
Born on January 4, 1951, Chukwu coached his beloved club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career), and later coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002.
Chukwu captained the Super Eagles to victory at the 1980 AFCON. He retired from active football a year later. He went on to coach Enugu Rangers — the only club he played for during his entire career — as well as the Kenyan team and the Nigerian national team. He led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia.
