The Nigerian football community has been plunged into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations champion, Henry Nwosu.
The football legend reportedly passed away in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after spending several days in intensive care.
He was 62 years old.
The sad news was confirmed by former teammate and Nigerian football great Segun Odegbami, who disclosed that Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. after battling health complications for five days.
Describing the loss as painful, Odegbami paid tribute to the late midfielder, recalling his remarkable contribution to Nigerian football.
Born on June 6, 1963, Henry Nwosu rose to prominence as a talented and intelligent midfielder, becoming one of the most admired players of his generation.
He made history as the youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious squad at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, helping the national team secure the country’s first continental title.
Nwosu also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where he scored the nation’s only goal in the tournament.
His international career extended through multiple AFCON tournaments, including 1982, 1984, and 1988, where Nigeria finished as runners-up twice.
At club level, the late football star built a strong reputation playing for Nigerian sides New Nigeria Bank (NNB) and African Continental Bank (ACB).
He also enjoyed successful spells abroad with ASEC Mimosas in Côte d’Ivoire and Racing FC Bafoussam in Cameroon.
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Nwosu’s death comes just days after the passing of veteran national team coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who died on March 10.
The two shared a historic connection in Nigerian football history, with Nwosu playing a key role in the “Green Eagles” squad coached by Onigbinde that finished as runners-up at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
Tributes have begun pouring in from fans, former players, and sports administrators across the country, celebrating Nwosu’s legacy as one of Nigeria’s most gifted midfielders and a pioneer of the nation’s golden era in football.
