Tributes pour in for late Super Eagles legend Christian Chukwu

By Wale Mustapha

Tributes have continued to pour in following the death of former Super Eagles captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 in Enugu.

Prominent political figures including former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, joined the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and other stakeholders in mourning the football icon widely known as “Chairman.”

Chukwu, a legendary defender, captained both Enugu Rangers and the Green Eagles (as the national team was then known), leading Nigeria to victory at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. He later served as coach of the Super Eagles, guiding the team to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia.

“It is difficult to grasp that Chairman Christian Chukwu, MFR, has passed on. His name stands tall in the rich tapestry of Nigerian football. His absence will be profoundly felt,” Atiku said in a tribute posted on X.

Peter Obi also expressed his sorrow: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing to the greater glory of Christian Chukwu, one of Nigeria’s greatest football icons. Rest in Peace our True Heroes.”

The Nigeria Football Federation described Chukwu as “a great and good man,” with General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi praising his legacy of leadership, strength, and vision.

“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,” Sanusi said.

Similarly, NPFL Chairman Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye hailed Chukwu as a true icon of Nigerian club football.

“Christian Chukwu stands out in the annals of league football. He not only spent his entire career in our domestic league but also coached and inspired younger players, winning league titles as both a player and coach,” Elegbeleye said.

Popular TV broadcaster Oseni Rufai also paid tribute, writing on X: “The legend is gone! Breaking news! My Chairman has passed on.”

Born on January 4, 1951, Chukwu spent his entire playing career with Enugu Rangers before moving into coaching. In addition to leading the Super Eagles, he also managed Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Stars.

His passing marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, as fans and officials alike mourn the loss of one of the game’s true patriots and pioneers.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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