Ex-Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu dies at 62

Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62.

The death of the Imo State-born football legend was announced on Saturday morning by his former teammate and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Segun Odegbami.

 

In a post on his media platforms, Odegbami said Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where he had been receiving treatment.

 

“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, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday,” 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 was the youngest member of Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON-winning team, which secured the country’s first continental title on home soil.

 

Widely admired for his vision, creativity and technical ability, the midfielder later became a prominent figure in domestic football.

 

After retiring from active football, he remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor, contributing to the development of younger players.

 

Nwosu’s death comes just days after the passing of 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 men were influential figures in Nigerian football, with Onigbinde having also served as coach of the Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984.