Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu is dead.
Nwosu reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos State, where he had been receiving treatment.
His death was announced by his former teammate and fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami, on Saturday.
According to Odegbami, the former international passed away around 4:00 a.m. after spending five days in intensive care at the hospital.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos where he had been in Intensive Care since Wednesday,” Odegbami said.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu, MON, the youngest of the victorious 1980 AFCON squad. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Nwosu, who was born on June 14, 1963, in Imo State, was widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.
He was the youngest member of Nigeria’s historic Green Eagles squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, the country’s first continental title, achieved on home soil in Lagos.
During his international career, Nwosu earned about 60 caps for Nigeria and scored eight goals, representing the national team between 1980 and 1991.
At club level, he played for sides including New Nigeria Bank (NNB) FC of Benin, African Continental Bank (ACB) Lagos, and also had spells abroad with clubs such as ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire and RC Bafoussam of Cameroon.
After retiring from active football, Nwosu moved into coaching and management, handling several teams including Ibom Stars, Union Bank FC, and later working with youth football programmes in Nigeria.
In recent years, the former midfielder had battled serious health challenges and had previously appealed for financial and medical assistance as his condition worsened.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across Nigeria’s football community for the late football legend, who was honoured with the national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for his contributions to the sport.
Nwosu’s death marks the loss of another member of Nigeria’s iconic 1980 AFCON-winning generation, widely regarded as pioneers of the country’s international football success.
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