Cheerful ‘Chairman’ Chukwu Knocks Social Media

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  • Says I’m Hale, Hearty

  • Condemns dead wish as deliberate

  • Cautions rumour peddlers to be careful

Nigeria’s football legend, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, is furious with the social media howler about his purported death at the weekend, cautioning that those spreading the rumours must be careful.

The social media was awash on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning that the former Green Eagles and Rangers International captain may have finally capitulated to his long battle with prostate cancer.

However, the soccer hero popularly called ‘Chairman’ in his playing days told The Guardian that he was hale and hearty, adding: “I was shocked, when people started calling me to say that the news was everywhere that my ‘enemy’ is dead.

‘Chairman’ Chukwu – hale and hearty

“Why will somebody just sit in his house and wish me dead? I’m alive, and I don’t know where those people got their information. Those spreading the rumour of my death will die before me.”

Sounding upset but assured, Chukwu said; “I will be the one to bury such person. Do I sound like someone who is dying? I am very upset with those behind this wicked rumour.

“Death is not something you wish your fellow human beings. Many Nigerians have my telephone number, and I answer any call that comes in. What will it take such a person to put a call across to me, or any member of my family just to verify the story before making it public?

“I’m sure it was a deliberate act, and as I said, anybody behind this rumour will die before me.”

The gaffe is coming just days after the football icon was greeted with cheering birthday messages from President Muhammadu Buhari and a congregation of football stars on the occasion of his 70th birthday celebration.

Among African soccer greats on hand to congratulate Chukwu on his special day of January 4 were ‘Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami; Ghanaian duo of Abedi Pele and Anthony Bafoe; Ivorian Yaya Toure; Godwin Odiye; and Jay Jay Okocha.

Aside progressing to manage Super Eagles and Enugu Rangers as their coach, ‘Chairman’ is best remembered for leading Rangers to capture the now rested African Cup Winners Cup in 1977 beating Cameroon’s Canon Sportif de Yaoundé, commonly known as Canon Yaoundé 5-2 in the finals. The first leg ended 4-1 in Nigeria with the second leg in Cameroon stalemated at one-all.

Chukwu also led the National football team, the then Green Eagles to Nigeria’s historic first ever African Nations Cup victory by defeating Dessert Warriors of Algeria 3-0 in the finals decided inside the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in 1980

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