Former Super Eagles midfielder and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62, leaving Nigeria’s football community in mourning.
The death of the former international was announced by his former teammate Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Nwosu passed away in the early hours of the morning after battling for his life in hospital for several days.
Nwosu reportedly died around 4:00 a.m. at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, where he had been receiving intensive medical care following a brief illness.
Born on June 14, 1963 in Imo State, Nwosu rose to prominence as one of Nigeria’s most talented midfielders. He was the youngest member of the national team that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, a historic victory that marked Nigeria’s first continental title.
During his international career, he made about 60 appearances for Nigeria between 1980 and 1991, featuring in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and Olympic competitions. He was widely admired for his vision, creativity and technical ability in midfield.
At club level, Nwosu played for several teams including New Nigeria Bank of Benin, ACB Lagos, ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast and Racing FC Bafoussam of Cameroon before retiring from active football.
After hanging up his boots, he remained involved in football as a coach and mentor, contributing to the development of younger players and the growth of the sport in Nigeria.
His passing has prompted tributes from former teammates, fans and football stakeholders who remember him as one of the key figures of Nigeria’s early football golden era.
