By Barth Ikiebe
The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the passing of legendary Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu, a key figure in the nation’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
Nwosu, who was 62, died early Saturday morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after a five-day stay in intensive care.
His former teammate, Segun Odegbami, shared the news of his passing at approximately 4:00 a.m. via social media, writing: “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, the youngest of the victorious 1980 AFCON squad,” Known by the affectionate nickname “Youngest Millionaire,”
Nwosu was the youngest player in the 1980 squad that secured Nigeria’s first-ever AFCON title. Over a prolific international career spanning from 1980 to 1991, he earned roughly 60 caps and scored eight goals.
His career was marked by immense creativity and tactical skill, helping Nigeria reach the AFCON finals again in 1984 and 1988, and scoring the country’s lone goal at the 1980 Olympic Games.
At the club level, Nwosu played for prominent Nigerian sides like New Nigeria Bank FC and ACB Lagos, and also competed internationally with ASEC Mimosas in Côte d’Ivoire and Racing FC Bafoussam in Cameroon.
Following his retirement, he transitioned into coaching, contributing to the team that won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and managing clubs such as Gateway United.
In his later years, Nwosu faced significant health struggles, including a stroke.
Tributes continue to flood in as fans and colleagues remember his enduring impact on Nigerian sports.
