Christian Chukwu
By Publisher
“Chairman” as the solid defender in his hey days was called, died at the age of 74 during a brief illness.
Chukwu became a national hero when he captained the then Green Eagles to to win its first African Cup of Nations, AFCON, soccer fiesta in 1980.
The national team had won a decisive victory, trouncing Algeria 3-0 in the final held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Segun Odegbami, Chukwu’s his longtime friend and fellow 1980 AFCON winner, confirmed his passing on Saturday morning.
“I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, has passed on,” Odegbami had written in a tribute.
“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 contributed immensely to the growth of Nigerian football. He was also the Chief Coach of the the Super Eagles between 2003 and 2005 during which Nigeria secured a third-place finish at the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
He was awarded the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, in recognition of his huge contributions to soccer in Nigeria.
During his lifetime, he also had a successful club career with Enugu Rangers, and won several domestic titles.
