By Achile Danjuma
Tragedy has struck the Nigerian football community with the passing of former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu. The 62-year-old died in the early hours of Saturday morning after a brief illness.
Nwosu’s death was announced by his former teammate and fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Segun Odegbami, via his social media platforms. Odegbami revealed that Nwosu had been receiving treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja since Wednesday before succumbing to his condition.
“Henry Nwosu passes on!” Odegbami wrote in an emotional tribute. “After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday. It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Nwosu, a native of Imo State, was a celebrated figure in Nigerian football, best remembered as the youngest member of the legendary Green Eagles squad that secured Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in 1980. His vision, creativity, and technical prowess in midfield made him a standout player of his generation.
Following his illustrious playing career, which saw him become a prominent figure in the domestic league, Nwosu remained dedicated to the sport. He transitioned into coaching and mentorship, playing a key role in the development of younger talents.
His passing is the latest blow to the Nigerian football family, coming just a week after the death of another iconic figure. Former Super Eagles head coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led the team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, passed away on March 9 at the age of 88.
The two legends were prominent members of the Nigerian football ecosystem in the 1980s, with Onigbinde having served as coach of the national team from 1982 to 1984.