Late Christian Chukwu.
Christian Chukwu lifting the 1980 AFCON trophy — Nigeria’s first-ever continental trophy.
Christian Chukwu, erstwhile Green Eagles captain Supper Eagles head coach, has died at 74, prompting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to describe him as a symbol of patriotism.
Segun Odegbami, a former teammate and close friend, confirmed Chukwu’s demise to on Saturday.
Wrote Odegbami in a WhatsApp broadcast: “I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and team mate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s football history, former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has passed on.
“Babuje, Emmanuel Okala, MON, gave me the sad news a few minutes ago”.
The cause of Chukwu’s death remains undisclosed.
Chukwu, in 2019, suffered prostate cancer, which affected his leg. The family had to open a GoFundMe appeal to solicit funds for the Nigerian football legend’s medical treatment.
Femi Otedola, the billionaire businessman, eventually paid $50,000 for Chukwu’s treatment overseas.
Chukwu is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest centre-backs and captains. He was captain when the Green Eagles won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980 on home soil. He was also named the player of the tournament.
He played for one club, Enugu Rangers, and led the club to the 1977 Africa Cup Winners Cup.
Chukwu was head coach of the Super Eagles between 2002 and 2005, leading the team to a bronze medal at Tunisia’s 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The manager was relieved of the job in June 2005 during the qualification campaign for the World Cup in Germany.
Chukwu also served as assistant coach of the first team to win a FIFA World Cup trophy for Nigeria, the Golden Eaglets, that triumphed at the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985.
Reacting to the soccer marstro’s death, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described him as a “symbol of excellence and patriotism”.
Tinubu said the legendary footballer “brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch”.
Said the President: “His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched, and the exciting moments he provided to football fans and spectators on the field and in the technical area”.
Former vice president Atiku Abubakar said Chukwu’s name “stands tall in the rich tapestry of Nigerian football”.
Atiku said Nigerians “are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love”.
Write Atiku: “We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration.
“From the mid 70s, when he captained our beloved Green Eagles, to that glorious triumph at the 1980 Nations Cup, Chukwu was the image of grace, discipline, and dedication — both as a player and a coach. His absence will be profoundly felt.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his dear family and with every one of us who cherished his contributions to the beautiful game. May the Almighty grant him eternal rest and grant his loved ones the strength to carry on”.
Sir Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), said Chukwu contributed “immensely to the development of football in Nigeria”.
He added that the late football icon was a “shining example of what it means to represent one’s country with honour and integrity”.
Write Obi: “He was not just a remarkable footballer but also an extraordinary leader who captained and coached the national team and his beloved club, Rangers International of Enugu, with distinction.
“His skill, discipline, and dedication to the beautiful game brought pride to our nation and joy to millions of fans across Africa and beyond. Beyond his playing days, Christian Chukwu continued to serve the game as a coach and mentor, nurturing young talents and contributing immensely to the development of football in Nigeria. His life was marked by resilience and patriotism, and his legacy will remain a shining example of what it means to represent one’s country with honour and integrity”.
Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, described Chukwu as a “phenomenon” whose “exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed”.
Said the Governor: “He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
“Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose”.
