BREAKING: Super Eagles legend, Henry Nwosu, dies at 62

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

Nwosu, a member of Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations–winning team, reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The former international had been in intensive care for five days before his death, and the news of his passing was announced by former Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami.

“Henry Nwosu passes on!

“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday.

“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,” Odegbami wrote.

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Nwosu was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the country’s first continental title.

He made about 60 appearances for the national team between 1980 and 1991 and scored eight goals. During that period, Nigeria also finished runner-up at the 1984 and 1988 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

At the club level, Nwosu played for New Nigeria Bank FC and ACB Lagos FC. He also had spells abroad with ASEC Mimosas and Racing FC Bafoussam.

After retiring from professional football, he moved into coaching and development roles. He served as an assistant coach with the Nigerian national team and also handled the country’s U-17 side between 2008 and 2009.

At the club level, he coached Union Bank FC and Gateway United FC.

In recent years, the former midfielder battled health challenges, including a stroke in 2022.

His death comes days after the passing of former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.