Nigeria mourns the loss of former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu, who has died at the age of 62.
The death of the Imo State-born football legend was confirmed on Saturday by his former teammate and fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Segun Odegbami. Nwosu had spent several days in intensive care at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, before passing away in the early hours of Saturday.
Odegbami shared the sad news on social media, writing:
“Henry Nwosu passes on! After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed away at 4:00 am this morning at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday. It is with deep pain in my heart that I convey the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
A Member of Nigeria’s Historic 1980 AFCON Team
Nwosu earned recognition as the youngest member of Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, where the Green Eagles clinched their first continental title on home soil. Known for his vision, creativity, and technical prowess in midfield, Nwosu later became a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football.
Continuing the Legacy
After retiring from professional football, Nwosu remained deeply involved in the sport as a coach and mentor, shaping the careers of younger players.
His death comes just days after the passing of another respected Nigerian football figure, former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup and died on March 9 at the age of 88. Both Nwosu and Onigbinde were influential in the Green Eagles setup during the 1980s.
TrueTells Nigeria mourns with the Nigerian football community as it pays tribute to one of the nation’s iconic midfielders.
