Our Reporter, Abuja
Nigeria is mourning the death of legendary former midfielder Henry Nwosu, a key member of the historic Nigerian side that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
The passing of the football icon was announced on Saturday by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in a brief statement.
“We are sad to announce the passing away of Nigeria legend and 1980 AFCON winner Henry Nwosu. He passed away on Saturday after a brief illness at 62 years old. May his soul rest in peace. #NigeriaMournsNwosu,” the federation said.
Nwosu was widely regarded as one of the most skillful midfielders of his generation and played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s triumph at the 1980 continental tournament on home soil.
During that competition, the gifted playmaker was part of the celebrated Nigeria national football team side—then known as the Green Eagles—which defeated Algeria national football team 3–0 in the final at the National Stadium in Lagos to secure Nigeria’s first-ever AFCON title.
Noted for his creativity and elegance in midfield, Nwosu earned admiration for his vision, ball control, and leadership on the pitch, qualities that helped establish him as one of the standout players of that golden generation. He briefly captained the Green Eagles before the armband was passed on to the late Stephen Keshi, with whom he played for the New Nigeria Bank of Benin (NNB) in the Nigerian league. The midfield maestro also played for and captained ACB of Lagos.
Following the NFF announcement, tributes began pouring in from football stakeholders and fans across the country, many describing his death as a painful loss to Nigerian football history.
