Former Green Eagles player Charles Bassey has tragically passed away following a prolonged struggle with health issues. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed his death in a statement released on Sunday.
Bassey, who had been battling severe health complications, died in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday—just hours after the passing of Christian Chukwu, former Eagles captain and coach.
Both Bassey and Chukwu were integral members of the Nigerian team that clinched the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980.
The ex-footballer’s health had been in decline for years. In 2019, Bassey disclosed that he was suffering from “nerve root compression” in his spinal cord, a result of a car accident in 1986.
He openly shared his struggle with mobility, revealing that the damage had worsened over time, making it difficult for him to walk. In a heartfelt plea for assistance, he sought financial support to address his medical needs.
In 2021, Bassey received a much-needed break when the Femi Otedola Foundation stepped in to fund his spinal cord surgery, offering hope amid his deteriorating condition.
Read Also: Our goal is to win AFCON 2025 – Super Eagles coach, Chelle declares
Beyond his playing career, Bassey also made significant contributions as a coach, managing several prominent Nigerian football clubs, including Calabar Rovers, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket, and Akwa United FC.
His passing marks another heartbreaking loss for the legendary 1980 AFCON squad, bringing the total number of team members who have passed away to nine.
The late stars include Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atugbu, Mudashiru Lawal, and Martins Eyo.
 confirmed his death in a statement released on Sunday.){kind=link}