A member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning squad of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Henry Nwosu, has lost his life at 62 years old.
Tributes have poured in following the confirmation of the death of the former Nigerian international footballer.
Nwosu passed away early Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after several days in intensive care.
The news of his death was first shared by his former teammate Segun Odegbami, who confirmed that the midfielder had been battling illness.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life… Henry Nwosu passed on at about 4:00 a.m. this morning,” Odegbami wrote.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news.”
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Nwosu as a national hero who made an important contribution to Nigerian football.
In a message of condolence, Tinubu said the former midfielder’s role in Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations victory would never be forgotten.
The Nigeria Football Federation also paid tribute, calling Nwosu “a gifted midfielder and patriot who served Nigerian football with dedication and pride.”
Nwosu was the youngest player in Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, the country’s first continental title. During his international career, he earned about 60 caps for the Super Eagles.
After retiring from football, he moved into coaching and youth development, helping to guide younger players.
Football fans, former teammates and officials have continued to remember Nwosu as one of the talented players who helped shape Nigeria’s early football success.
