Enugu, Nigeria – Nigeria don lose one of im football giants, Christian Chukwu, wey pass away for Niger Foundation Hospital on Saturday at di age of 74. Both President Bola Tinubu and former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar don join plenty Nigerians to show dem mourning. Chukwu, wey dem dey call ‘Chairman’, na di former Super Eagles coach and captain, and him legacy for Nigerian football go last forever.
President Tinubu talk for statement wey him Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, release say, ‘Christian Chukwu na more than just footballer and coach. Him na symbol of excellence and patriotism. Him contributions to di sport give joy to millions and e mentor plenty young footballers. We go always remember him with respect and admiration.’
Atiku Abubakar also share him grief for X, say, ‘Chairman Chukwu absence go dey felt. My heart dey with him family and every fan wey value di joy wey him bring to di beautiful game. May di Almighty grant am eternal rest.’
The Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, express him deep grief for Chukwu death, calling am personal loss for Nigeria and Africa. ‘Chairman give him best to di nation and e write him name for di history of Nigerian football,’ Mbah talk.
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, di General Secretary for Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), add say, ‘We don lose a good and great man. Chukwu na di definition of strong and disciplined leader both on di pitch and off.’ He pray say di Almighty go grant him soul eternal rest.
National Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, talk say Chukwu’s passing na big shock. ‘A big iroko tree don fall. We dey here as chairmen for dis sector, but Christian Chukwu na di original Chairman on di pitch,’ Dikko say.
Francis Moniedafe, wey play against Chukwu, talk say him death na loss for African football. ‘E go really make us miss him. A great captain and gentleman wey dey very competitive.’
Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, wey win di Africa Cup of Nations with Chukwu for 1980, say, ‘Chairman Christian Chukwu, my friend and teammate, don pass on. May e find peace with di Creator.’
Former Senator Shehu Sani talk say Nigeria don lose di best football captain in history. ‘Chukwu na di star wey make football popular for Nigeria in di 80s,’ he write on him X handle.
Enugu Rangers International Football Club also express dem sorrow. Barr. Amobi Ezeaku, di CEO, say, ‘Dis na devastating loss for us. Chukwu na towering figure wey represent resilience, excellence, and leadership.’
Chukwu, wey born on January 4, 1951, don face health challenges before, including prostate cancer wey him battle since 2019. Businessman Femi Otedola don donate $50,000 for him treatment.
As captain of di Nigerian national team from 1974 to 1980, Chukwu lead di team win di Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1980 after dem finish as runners-up in 1976 and 1978. For club level, him spend all him playing career wey start from 1972 to 1981 with Enugu Rangers, leading dem to multiple victories.
After retiring, Chukwu become coach, serving as assistant coach for di Golden Eaglets wey win di FIFA U16 World Cup in 1985 and di Super Eagles for di 1994 FIFA World Cup. He also coach di Nigeria Super Eagles from 2003 to 2005.
Chukwu, wey earn di national honour of Member of di Federal Republic, contributions go stay alive in Nigerian football history, as di football community dey mourn one of dier greatest icons.
Di mourning don follow just 20 days after di 45th anniversary of 1980 AFCON triumph, showing di profound loss wey Chukwu represent for Nigerian football.
