The Chairman of the FCT Football Association (FCT-FA), Adam Mouktar Muhammed has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family and the Nigeria football family over the demise of the 1980 AFCON winning captain, Christian Chukwu, popularly known as ‘Chairman’ who died at the age of 74 at his native home in Enugu last Saturday.
Mohammed, who described Chukwu as an embodiment of strength, character and goals, said with his death, Nigeria has lost a gem and a hero who was very dedicated to sports growth and development, and not only football during his lifetime.
“This (Christian Chukwu’s death) is coming to us in the FCT as a rude shock. Nigeria has lost a gem, a hero. A man who many see as an embodiment of strength, character and goals. He was very dedicated to sports growth and development all his life. He will surely be missed.
“All we can say is that we pray that Almighty Allah grant his soul eternal rest. Grant his family and friends, and Nigeria football family the fortitude to bear this great loss,” a statement signed by FCT-FA head, media committee, Uche Nwudoh Hillary, on behalf of the chairman, read.
Sporting Tribune reports that late Christian Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana, respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980 and was named Player of the Tournament.
