ABUJA, Nigeria – Christian Chukwu, the former captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles and head coach, has passed away at the age of 74.
The news was confirmed by former teammate and close friend, Segun Odegbami, on Saturday, April 12, 2024.
Odegbami shared the sad news in a WhatsApp broadcast, stating: “I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s football history, former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has passed on.”
The cause of Chukwu’s death has not been publicly disclosed.
However, it is known that in 2019, he battled prostate cancer, which affected his leg.
To aid in his treatment, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign, and billionaire businessman Femi Otedola generously contributed $50,000 to fund Chukwu’s medical treatment abroad.
Chukwu, regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest football players, was an iconic centre-back who captained the Super Eagles to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in 1980 on home soil.
He was also named the player of the tournament for his outstanding performances during that campaign.
During his club career, Chukwu played for Enugu Rangers, where he led the team to win the 1977 Africa Cup Winners Cup.
His legacy in Nigerian football is further cemented by his coaching career, which saw him take the reins of the Super Eagles from 2002 to 2005.
Under his leadership, the Eagles won a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Chukwu’s tenure as head coach ended in June 2005, during the World Cup qualification campaign for Germany 2006.
Earlier in his career, Chukwu had a role as an assistant coach for the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-16 team, that won the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Cup in China.
His contributions to Nigerian football, both as a player and coach, have made him a beloved figure in the nation’s sporting history.
