Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu, who passed away at the age of 62.
The death of the Imo State-born football legend was announced on Saturday by his former teammate and fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, through his media platforms.
Odegbami disclosed that Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit since Wednesday.
“Henry Nwosu passes on,” Odegbami wrote. “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. 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 was widely celebrated for his contribution to Nigeria’s historic victory at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Green Eagles secured their first continental title on home soil. He was the youngest member of the squad that achieved the milestone, earning admiration for his talent and composure at a young age.
Known for his exceptional vision, creativity and technical ability in midfield, Nwosu went on to establish himself as a respected figure in Nigerian domestic football during his playing career.
Following his retirement from active football, he remained closely connected to the game, working as a coach and mentor while helping to develop younger generations of players.
The national team, the Nigeria national football team, also paid tribute to the late footballer. In a message posted on its official X platform on Saturday, the team extended condolences to his family and acknowledged his role in Nigeria’s football history.
“We commiserate with the family of Henry Nwosu on his passing. A member of Nigeria’s historic squad that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations. Rest in peace!” the statement read.
Nwosu’s death comes only days after Nigerian football lost another prominent figure, former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who died on March 9 at the age of 88.
Both men were influential members of Nigeria’s football establishment during the 1980s, with Onigbinde serving as coach of the national team between 1982 and 1984.
With Nwosu’s passing, tributes continue to pour in from across the football community, honouring a player whose contribution helped shape one of the most memorable moments in Nigeria’s sporting history.
