Former Super Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu is dead. Chukwu passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74.
Some of his former colleagues in the Nigerian national team with whom he won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1980 have already paid tributes to the late Chukwu.
Retired winger, Segun Odegbami, reacting to Chukwu’s death wrote on his official X account: “Breaking News!!
My Chairman has passed on 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.”
Soar Super Eagles wrote: “Christian Chukwu, captain of Nigeria’s first AFCON-winning side, has passed away at the age of 74. Rest in peace, legend.”
UK-based Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana posted: “Christian ‘Chairman’ Chukwu, the legendary central defender and captain of @Rangers_Intl and @NGSuperEagles, who won the 1980 #AFCON is dead. May his soul rest in peace.”
Chukwu, who was affectionately referred to as “Chairman,” was a prominent figure in Nigerian football, both as a player and as a coach.
As a defender, he led Nigeria to win the 1980 AFCON tournament in Lagos while he also captained and coached Enugu Rangers to win a plethora of trophies.
He had an outstanding career as coach of various national teams, including Nigeria, Kenya and Lebanon.
The late Chukwu was also coach and manager of the Flying Antelope, Enugu Rangers International FC.
In April 2020, Chukwu’s state of health was made public. His inability to continue with his medical bills prompted the Nigeria’s Football Players Union to call on Nigerians to assist him.
Thereafter, a GoFundMe campaign to raise $50, 000 to fly him to the US for treatment began in earnest but businessman Femi Otedola stepped in and donated $50,000 to offset the medical bills.
Otedola’s kind gesture made it possible for Chukwu to travel abroad to seek professional medical health.
Chukwu captained Enugu Rangers to victory in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977. And as a coach, he was part of NFF’s technical crew that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
He later became an assistant to Dutchman, Clemens Westerhof, as the Super Eagles claimed their second African Cup of Nations title at Tunisia ‘94.
