By Titilope Adako
Former Super Eagles coach and captain, Christian Chukwu, has died at the age of 74.
He passed away on Saturday morning, but the cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
His death was announced by his former teammate and close friend, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“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 wrote.
He said the sad news was conveyed to him by Emmanuel Okala, another football legend and long-time associate of Chukwu.
“May ‘Onyim’ find peace with our Creator in Heaven and console his family,” he added.
Chukwu was a key figure in Nigerian football history.
He captained the national team to its first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980.
He also coached the Super Eagles in the early 2000s and led Enugu Rangers FC to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977.
Born in Enugu, Chukwu was widely respected for his leadership on and off the pitch.
He was fondly called “Chairman” by teammates and fans alike.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the sports world in honour of his legacy.
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