BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – Once again, Nigerian football family is in mourning following the death of 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Henry Nwosu, who passed away early Saturday morning in a Lagos hospital at the age of 62.
Nwosu, who was widely regarded as one of the finest left-sided midfielders of his generation, was the youngest member of the Green Eagles squad that lifted Nigeria’s first AFCON title on home soil in 1980 at just 17 years old. He went on to feature prominently in the finals of the 1984 and 1988 editions, both against Cameroon.
In its condolence message, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed deep sorrow over the loss, which is coming only days after the passing of former Technical Director and two-time Super Eagles head coach, Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.
According to the message signed by NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, “This is another very sad news, even as we are still mourning the demise of Chief Onigbinde. Nigeria football can never forget the enormous contributions of Henry Nwosu both as a player and a coach.
“We pray that God will grant him eternal rest, and also grant the family he has left behind, as well as friends and relations the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Joining the NFF to express grief over the death of former Green Eagles midfielder and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, the National Sports Commission (NSC) in a statement shared on its official X handle on Saturday, described him as a gifted footballer whose contributions to Nigerian football would remain unforgettable.
“The National Sports Commission mourns the passing of former Green Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu, MON, the youngest member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 AFCON-winning squad,” the statement read.
The commission noted that Nwosu’s football career spanned over a decade with the national team, during which he played key roles in several continental competitions, adding: “A gifted midfielder who represented Nigeria for over a decade, Nwosu was part of the team that delivered the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and later featured in multiple continental tournaments.”
It further stated that the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director-General, Bukola Olopade, and the entire staff of the commission extended their condolences to the late footballer’s family and the Nigerian football community.
“The Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and the entire staff of the Commission extend heartfelt condolences to his family and the Nigerian football community. May his soul rest in peace,” the statement said.
One of Nwosu’s most iconic moments came on April 25, 1981, when, at 18, he scored a stunning long-range goal against Guinea’s Syli Stars in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, securing Nigeria’s advancement to the final round against Algeria.
In his equally illustrious football career, Nwosu featured for New Nigeria Bank (NNB) of Benin City and African Continental Bank (ACB) of Lagos before jetting out of the country to play for ASEC Mimosas FC of Ivory Coast and Racing FC Bafoussam of Cameroon.
Known for his elegant dribbling, vision, creativity and flair when on the ball, he scored the only goal for Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics while also donning the national team colours in the 1982, 1984 and 1988 AFCON tournaments, in which Nigeria finished runners up in the latter two, with his last game for the Super Eagles taking place in 1991
Later transitioning into coaching with several domestic clubs after retirement, Nwosu served as an assistant to former Eagles teammate Samson Siasia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where Nigeria won the silver medal. He was also an assistant to Coach Onigbinde who took the Super Eagles to 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. On 27 September 2008, Nwosu was appointed as the coach for the Nigerian U-17 team.
With his passing, the number of the 1980 AFCON-winning squad who are dead have now risen to nine, including goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Tunde Bamidele, Okey Isima and Christian Chukwu, midfielders Mudashiru Lawal and Aloysius Atuegbu, and forward Martins Eyo.
Meanwhile, tributes have begun pouring in from across the football community, honouring a player whose skill and composure left an indelible mark on Nigerian football history.
