Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62.
The passing of the Imo State–born footballer was confirmed on Saturday morning by his former teammate and fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Segun Odegbami in a Facebook post.
Odegbami disclosed that Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit since Wednesday.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 a.m. this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos,” Odegbami wrote.
“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. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Nwosu made history as the youngest player in Nigeria’s squad that triumphed at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, when the then Green Eagles secured the country’s first continental football title on home soil.
His death comes only days after Nigerian football mourned another prominent figure, former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Onigbinde died on March 9 at the age of 88.
Both Nwosu and Onigbinde played influential roles within the Green Eagles set-up during the 1980s. Onigbinde also served as head coach of the national team between 1982 and 1984.
At club level, Nwosu featured for several Nigerian teams, including New Nigeria Bank F.C. and Stationery Stores F.C..
Following his retirement from professional football, he transitioned into coaching and youth development, contributing to the growth of young talents in Nigerian football.
What you should know
Henry Nwosu was one of Nigeria’s most respected midfielders and part of the historic team that won the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.
Known for his creativity and leadership on the field, he later dedicated his career to developing young football talents after retiring from professional football.
His passing comes shortly after the death of former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, marking a period of mourning for Nigerian football as it loses two influential figures from its golden generation.
