By Nurudeen Obalola
Christian Chukwu, the legendary central ddefender who captained the Green Eagles to win Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980, is dead.
The former Rangers of Enugu star died today aged 74.
The death of Chukwu was confirmed by his old teammate and friend Segun Odegbami today.
“My Chairman has passed on. I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and team mate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s football history, former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has passed on,” Odegbami wrote in a social media post.
“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 was not only a great player, he was also a successful coach, who handled the Super Eagles and led them to bronze at the 2004 AFCON.
