Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles coach and legendary defender, Christian Chukwu, who passed away at the age of 74.
The sad news was confirmed by his close friend and former teammate, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, on Saturday. Chukwu reportedly died between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., although the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of this report.
In a heartfelt tribute, Odegbami, who played alongside Chukwu in Nigeria’s victorious 1980 African Cup of Nations squad, said:
“I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, has passed on.
Babuje, Emmanuel Okala, MON, gave me the sad news a few minutes ago. May ‘Onyim’ find peace with Our Creator in Heaven and console his family.”
Chukwu, affectionately nicknamed “Chairman,” was a revered figure in Nigerian football history — both as a solid defender and a respected coach. His leadership on the field and the sidelines inspired generations of footballers and fans alike.
Notably, in 2021, rumours of his death spread across the media, prompting the coach to publicly debunk the claims during his 70th birthday celebration.
“I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. I am still investigating the source of the story,” Chukwu had said at the time.
Christian Chukwu’s legacy in Nigerian football is indelible. He captained the national team to its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and later served as the national team coach, mentoring many talents.
