President Bola Tinubu and his major opponents during the 2023 general election, Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi, as well as the Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the Confederation of African Football, have all hailed the impact Christian Chukwu had on Nigerian and African football.
Chukwu, who captained the Green Eagles to win Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and later coached the Super Eagles, was confirmed dead on Saturday at the age of 74 after a brief illness.
Tinubu, who is currently in France, praised Chukwu for his commitment to the Nigerian cause.
“Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism,” the President said in a statement issued by his media aide Bayo Onanuga.
“He brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
“His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched, and the exciting moments he provided to football fans and spectators on the field and in the technical area. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration.”
Chukwu starred for the Nigeran national team and his hometown club in the 1970s and 1980s before going on to coach both teams, leading the Super Eagles to bronze at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia.
Former Vice-President Atiku said: “We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration.
“From the mid-70s, when he captained our beloved Green Eagles, to that glorious triumph at the 1980 Nations Cup, Chukwu was the image of grace, discipline, and dedication — both as a player and a coach. His absence will be profoundly felt.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his dear family and with every one of us who cherished his contributions to the beautiful game. May the Almighty grant him eternal rest and grant his loved ones the strength to carry on.”
Obi, a former Governor of AnambraState, acknowledged Chukwu’s role in the development of Nigerian football.
“He was not just a remarkable footballer but also an extraordinary leader who captained and coached the national team and his beloved club, Rangers International of Enugu, with distinction,” Obi wrote.
“His skill, discipline, and dedication to the beautiful game brought pride to our nation and joy to millions of fans across Africa and beyond. Beyond his playing days, Christian Chukwu continued to serve the game as a coach and mentor, nurturing young talents and contributing immensely to the development of football in Nigeria.
“His life was marked by resilience and patriotism, and his legacy will remain a shining example of what it means to represent one’s country with honour and integrity.”
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu, Chukwu’s home state, noted: “He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
“Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
CAF, in tribute to one of the greatest defenders to have originated from Africa, wrote: “The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe is deeply saddened at the passing of Nigerian football legend Christian Chukwu.
“Chukwu, who passed away at the age of 74 on Saturday, April 12, 2025, was a formidable defender who made history by becoming the first Nigeria captain to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1980.
“The CAF President Dr Motsepe conveys his and CAF’s deepest condolences to the family of Chukwu, the Nigerian Football Association (NFF) and the Nigerian football family.
“May the soul of Christian Chukwu rest in eternal peace.”
