Former Super Eagles captain and coach dies at 74

Christian Chukwu, former captain and head coach of the Super Eagles, has died at the age of 74, Footynaija.com reports.

Chukwu, one of the most iconic figures in Nigerian football, passed away in the early hours of Saturday. Details surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of this report.

His close friend and teammate, Segun Odegbami, who won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Chukwu, confirmed the sad news.

“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,” Odegbami said. “Emmanuel Okala, MON, broke the sad news to me a few minutes ago. May ‘Onyim’ find peace with our Creator in Heaven and console his family.”

Born on January 4, 1951, Chukwu enjoyed a stellar career with Enugu Rangers, captaining the club to multiple domestic titles and continental success. In 1977, he led the Flying Antelopes to victory in the now-defunct African Cup Winners’ Cup.

He made history in 1980 as the first Nigerian captain to lift the Africa Cup of Nations, following a commanding 3–0 win over Algeria in Lagos. Chukwu was also part of the coaching crew that guided Nigeria to its second AFCON title in 1994 and its first-ever World Cup appearance the same year.

A national football treasure, Chukwu’s influence on Nigerian football spanned decades — as both player and coach.