Nigeria’s football community is mourning the death of former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu, one of the key members of the country’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team. He was 62.
Nwosu died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after spending several days in intensive care.
Former international Segun Odegbami confirmed the news in an emotional message, revealing that Nwosu passed away around 4:00 a.m. after battling for his life in hospital for five days.
Popularly nicknamed “Youngest Millionaire,” Nwosu earned the title as the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.
Born on 14 June 1963 in Imo State, he rose to prominence as one of Nigeria’s most talented midfielders during the 1980s. Known for his creativity, dribbling skills and tactical awareness, Nwosu became a key figure for the national team.
He made about 60 appearances for Nigeria between 1980 and 1991, scoring eight goals and featuring in several major tournaments, including the 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1988 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria won the tournament in 1980 and finished runners-up in 1984 and 1988.
Nwosu also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Summer Olympics, where he scored the country’s only goal in the football competition.
At club level, he played for teams including New Nigeria Bank FC and ACB Lagos FC, and later had stints abroad with ASEC Mimosas and Racing FC Bafoussam.
After retiring from active football in the early 1990s, Nwosu moved into coaching and player development. He served as an assistant coach with Nigeria’s national teams, including the side that won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
In recent years, the former midfielder had battled health challenges, including a stroke.
His death marks the loss of one of the standout players from Nigeria’s first continental triumph and a respected figure in the country’s football history. Tributes have continued to pour in from across the Nigerian football community