FormerGreen Eagles and Ex Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has passed away at the age of 74. Chukwu, affectionately known as “Chairman,” was a prominent figure in Nigerian football — both as a player and as a coach
He died on Saturday, though details surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of filing this report.
His longtime teammate and friend, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, confirmed the development.
Odegbami, who won the 1980 Africa Nation Cup with Chukwu, said: “I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, has passed on.
“Babuje, Emmanuel Okala, MON, gave me the sad news a few minutes ago. May ‘Onyim’ find peace with Our Creator in Heaven and console his family.”
In 2021, there were rumors of Chukwu’s death had circulated widely, prompting the legendary coach to refute the rumors during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4, 2021.
Reacting then, Chukwu said: “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. I am still investigating the source of the story.”
Chukwu, was part of the technical crew under Dutchman Clemens Westerhof that qualified Nigeria for the first time at the FIFA World Cup in USA 1994.His legacy in the sport remains significant.
