Henry Nwosu, a former Nigerian international footballer and member of the country’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations–winning team, has died after a brief illness at rhe age ofb62.
Gatekeepers News reports that the death of the Imo State-born football legend was announced on Saturday by his former teammate, Segun Odegbami, who disclosed that Nwosu passed away in the early hours of the day at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
Odegbami revealed that the former midfielder had spent several days receiving treatment before his passing.
In a Facebook post, he wrote, “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.”
Nwosu was widely known for his contribution to Nigeria’s triumph at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, where the national team, then known as the Green Eagles, won the country’s first continental title on home soil. He was the youngest player in the squad and later emerged as one of the most influential midfielders of his generation.
During his international career, Nwosu made about 60 appearances for Nigeria and featured in several major tournaments, including the 1982, 1984 and 1988 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. He also scored Nigeria’s only goal at the 1980 Olympic football tournament.
At club level, the former midfielder played for several teams in the Nigerian league, including New Nigeria Bank FC and African Continental Bank. After retiring from active football, he remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor, helping to nurture young football talents.
His death has triggered tributes from members of the Nigerian football community, many of whom remember him as one of the key figures in the country’s early successes on the continental stage.
