Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON Hero Henry Nwosu Dies at 61

Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON Hero Henry Nwosu Dies at 61

Former Nigerian international Henry Nwosu, a key member of the squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, has died at the age of 61 after a brief illness.

The ex-midfielder reportedly passed away in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, where he had been receiving treatment.

News of his death was disclosed by former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami, who said Nwosu died around 4:00 a.m. after battling illness for several days.

According to Odegbami, the former international had been admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit since Wednesday before he eventually passed on.

“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 a.m. this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in Intensive Care since Wednesday,” Odegbami said.

He added, “It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu, the youngest of the victorious 1980 AFCON squad. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”

Nwosu was widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation. As a teenager, he played a significant role in Nigeria’s triumph at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations when the then Green Eagles secured the country’s first continental title on home soil.

During the historic tournament, he featured alongside some of Nigeria’s football greats, including Christian Chukwu, Adokiye Amasiemaka, Felix Owolabi, Emmanuel Okala, Best Ogedegbe and Okey Isima.

His passing comes only days after the death of former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, marking yet another loss for Nigeria’s football community.