NFF Pays Tribute to Henry Nwosu: 'His Significant Impact Will Always Be Remembered

Nigerian football is once again plunged into mourning following the passing of Henry Nwosu, a member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning team, who died at the age of 62 in a Lagos hospital on Saturday morning.

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At just 17 years old, Nwosu was the youngest player in the Green Eagles squad that claimed Nigeria's first AFCON title on home soil in 1980, and he went on to become one of the finest left-sided midfielders of his generation.

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Nwosu's impressive career included featuring in the finals of the 1984 and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, both of which were against Cameroon, cementing his place in Nigerian football history.

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The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow over Nwosu's passing, which comes just days after the death of former Technical Director and two-time Super Eagles head coach Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

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According to NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, "This is another very sad news, even as we are still mourning the demise of Chief Onigbinde," and he praised Nwosu's enormous contributions to Nigerian football as a player and coach.

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Dr Sanusi also said, "We pray that God will grant him eternal rest, and also grant the family he has left behind, as well as friends and relations the fortitude to bear the loss."

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One of the most iconic moments of Nwosu's career came on April 25, 1981, when he scored a stunning long-range goal against Guinea's Syli Stars in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at just 18 years old, securing Nigeria's advancement to the final round against Algeria.

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Nwosu's club career was marked by impressive performances for New Nigerian Bank FC of Benin and ACB FC of Lagos, before he played in Côte d’Ivoire, dazzling fans with his elegant dribbling, vision, creativity, and flair.

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After retiring from playing, Nwosu transitioned into coaching, working with several domestic clubs and leaving a lasting legacy in Nigerian football.

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The passing of Nwosu brings the number of deceased members of the 1980 AFCON-winning squad to nine, including goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Tunde Bamidele, Okey Isima, and Christian Chukwu, midfielders Mudashiru Lawal and Aloysius Atuegbu, and forward Martins Eyo.

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Tributes have begun pouring in from across the football community to honour Nwosu, a player whose skill and composure left an indelible mark on Nigerian football history.