The Nigerian football community has been plunged into mourning following the news that legendary midfielder Henry Nwosu died at 62.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ikeja, Lagos, following a period of health challenges.
Known for his incredible vision and technical mastery, Henry Nwosu was a household name whose career defined a golden era for the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles).
The death of the Imo State-born midfielder was announced on Saturday morning by former teammate and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Segun Odegbami on his media platforms.
“Henry Nwosu passes on!,
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday.
“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. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven,” Odegbami wrote.
Social media has been flooded with tributes from former teammates, sports journalists, and fans since the announcement that Henry Nwosu died at 62.
As the youngest member of the iconic 1980 AFCON-winning squad, Nwosu was often cited as the “golden boy” of Nigerian football.
His ability to orchestrate the midfield earned him a spot in the hearts of millions, and his death is being described by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the “exit of a true maestro.”
Nwosu, who was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON squad, was widely celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations, where the Green Eagles secured their first continental title on home soil.
Following his retirement from active football, the former international remained connected to the sport as a coach and mentor, helping to nurture younger players.
Nwosu’s death comes days after Nigerian football lost another iconic figure. Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, died on March 9 at the age of 88.
Both Nwosu and Onigbinde were prominent members of the Green Eagles set-up of the 1980s, with Onigbinde having served as coach of the side between 1982 and 1984.
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