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.
President Bola Tinubu has paid a heartfelt tribute to former Nigerian international Henry Nwosu, who died in a hospital in Lagos in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 62.
In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described him as an exceptionally skilled player whose artistry on the pitch left a lasting impact on the game.
“President Bola Tinubu extends his condolences to the family of Henry Onyemanze Nwosu, a legendary Super Eagles midfielder who passed away on Saturday at the age of 62,” the statement reads.
“He served the nation for over a decade as a member of the national team, featuring in subsequent AFCON tournaments in 1982, 1984 and 1988, and contributing to sports development in the country.
“Nigerians will always remember the late playmaker for the pride and joy he brought to the nation and for inspiring many compatriots to greater accomplishments,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also paid tribute to the former Nigerian international, describing his death as a painful loss.
In a statement by NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, the federation said Nwosu’s death came only days after the passing of former NFF technical director and two-time Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde.
“This is another very sad news, even as we are still mourning the demise of Chief Onigbinde. Nigerian football can never forget the enormous contributions of Henry Nwosu, both as a player and a coach. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give the family, friends and associates he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss,” Sanusi said.
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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