Former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu, has died at the age of 62.
The football icon passed away in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit since Wednesday.
The news of his death was announced by former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami.
“After 5 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,” Odegbami revealed on Saturday.
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“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.”
Nwosu enjoyed a distinguished playing career. He featured for clubs including New Nigeria Bank FC and African Continental Bank FC, before spells abroad with ASEC Mimosas and Racing FC Bafoussam.
At international level, Nwosu etched his name in Nigerian football history as the youngest member of the squad that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations on home soil. He also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Summer Olympics, scoring the country’s only goal at the tournament.
The midfielder went on to feature for Nigeria in several continental competitions, including the 1982 African Cup of Nations, 1984 African Cup of Nations and 1988 African Cup of Nations, finishing runner-up in the latter two tournaments. His final appearance for Nigeria came in 1991.
Following his retirement from playing, Nwosu moved into coaching and technical roles. He served as an assistant coach to former Super Eagles teammate Samson Siasia when Nigeria won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics football tournament.
He was also part of the technical crew led by Adegboye Onigbinde that guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Onigbinde also recently passed away at 88.
In September 2008, Nwosu was appointed head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 national team, but was relieved of his duties in April 2009, ahead of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
He later managed club sides including Union Bank F.C. and Gateway United F.C., continuing his contribution to Nigerian football development
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