NFF, NSC mourn ex-Super Eagles coach

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow following the death of former Super Eagles captain and head coach, Christian Chukwu.

Chukwu, who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, died in his hometown of Enugu on Saturday at the age of 74.

In a statement on Saturday, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described Chukwu as a towering figure in Nigerian football.

Sanusi stated that the former Enugu Rangers coach was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field.

The statement reads, “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision, and consistency.

“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest and also grant his family, friends, and the Nigerian football fraternity the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Also, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has described the death of Chukwu as a sad development.

Reacting to the sad news on Saturday, Dikko said, “This news came to me as a big shock. Chairman is no more. On behalf of the Commission, the entire sporting fraternity, and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend my condolences to his family and to the whole nation. Frankly, a big iroko tree has fallen. We are the chairmen leading the sector, but Christian Chukwu was the original Chairman on the pitch.

“He was so commanding and charismatic, decisive and assuring on the pitch, that the late Ernest Okonkwo called him ‘Chairman’—and to this day, that name is even more popular than his given name.

“Chairman Chukwu is synonymous with Nigerian football. He lifted our first major trophy at the 1980 AFCON. Growing up, that day stands out. Many of us draw our passion for Nigerian football from that tournament. Chairman was the main catalyst of that feat, motivating and leading the team from the foundation to success.

“As a player, coach, or administrator, Chairman stamped his feet in the annals of Nigerian football. I had a very good working relationship with him for decades, and we had been in constant touch.”

“I just had a meeting with Dr. Segun Odegbami earlier this week. This is happening at a time when we need the experience and drive of the likes of Chairman to push through our vision at the Commission. This is a very gloomy day for Nigerian football.

“One thing that stands out is the Chairman’s passion for Nigerian football, along with his humility and peaceful nature throughout his life. Even in his latter days, he was a regular commentator on the state of Nigerian football. He was one of the legends whose views I always looked forward to reading. We will do everything within our means to immortalise him and ensure that his dream for Nigerian football is sustained,” he added.

Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his commanding presence and leadership qualities both at club level with Enugu Rangers and with the national team, Chukwu famously lifted the Unity Cup—the first major continental title for Nigeria—on Saturday, March 22, 1980, after receiving it from then-President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Chukwu was part of the Nigerian team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals held in Ethiopia and Ghana, respectively, before captaining the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament.