The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep sorrow after it was confirmed that Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and later coached the team, had died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday.

Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ because of his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in front of the rearguard at both club (Enugu Rangers) and country, Christian Chukwu was overjoyed as he hoisted above his head the Unity Cup (the first time Nigeria would triumph in the continental championship) after receiving same from President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22^nd March 1980.

General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “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. He embodied strength, vision and consistency.

“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.”

Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament.

Born on 4^th January 1951, Chukwu coached his darling club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career) and then coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002 and led the team to finish third at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia.

His death comes exactly 20 days after the 45^th anniversary of the 1980 AFCON triumph. Before him, other members of the squad that had passed on, were goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and forward Martins Eyo.

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Nigeria’s former national football team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu, has died.

He was aged 74 when he died this Saturday. The cause of his death is not yet known, but he had been in and out of ailments for some time, prompting an earlier report of his death three years ago.

That report turned out to be false.

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A former bodyguard to David and Victoria Beckham has been found dead following a massive police search in Spain.

According to the UK publication, Mirror, the ex-Royal Marine Craig Ainsworth’s mum Sally revealed the tragic news in a weekend social media post after launching an urgent appeal for information about the missing war veteran.

She went public with her SOS appeal after revealing Craig, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, had “posted a last message on Facebook to say goodbye” and said police were focusing their search for him in Alicante and the Barcelona area.

In an update on Saturday Sally confirmed the gut-wrenching news of his death, saying: “Craig has been found. With the greatest sadness, the world has lost Craig. He served in Afghanistan and he had PTSD.” She went on to publish a photo of him in military uniform, saying simply: “RIP Craig.”

Friends rallied round to offer her support, with one writing: “Sending hugs Sally, nothing we say would ease your pain.” Craig, believed to have been aged 40 when he died, worked for the Beckhams from 2013 to 2015 when they lived in London’s Holland Park.

Before he was found over the weekend, he had written a post on Facebook titled “Goodbye Beautiful People…” in which he spoke about having experienced “tremendous pain” over the last four years since the Covid lockdown. He wrote: “‘To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.’

“For most of you this will come as a shock but I’ve been in the most tremendous pain for the past four years since lockdown destroyed everything I had built and I lost some genuinely amazing humans I was proud to call friends and colleagues. Particularly Ryan and Jamie who were brothers to me.”

“Members of my family then attacked and humiliated me publicly despite knowing I was in a bad way, and I lost friends of 20 years who chose to talk about me, instead of talking to me. When I needed everyone most they chose to attack me instead of support me and this is something I’ve never recovered from. It just broke me.

“To Juniour, Ishy, Sonia, Clara, Chris Y, Tatts, Nick, Claire, Craig, and my beautiful sister, Lauren. Not to mention my Royal Marine brothers. I’m so so sorry! Please don’t be mad or sad, I’m free now. You guys were the light that kept me going all this time, words are primitive when it comes to how grateful I am for you all.”

“I lived the life of ten men. I lived with a pure heart and good intentions. Certainly not a perfect person but I lived life that’s for sure.

“I’ve been in agony but strived to project positivity into the world and help others. Imagine a silly boy from Enfield growing up to live a life of such adventure.

“I honestly couldn’t include half of my life in my biography but every story is true and my gift to you all to prove that you can achieve anything but you have to want it more than air! Plus life is just bonkers! Get involved.”

He continued: “Anyone thinking about hurting themselves please seek help. Don’t copy me as you’ve no idea what I’ve been through. Those closest to me will be happy I found peace. Think about that. Lilo & Stitch – I’m sorry to abandon you, it breaks my heart but I will see you both on the other side where we can play forever x.

“Until then, Ishkiran will look out for you. I am at peace now. Something I never found in life, but what a ride! He spoke about the couple after Netflix series Beckham came out, saying: “David was charming. Victoria kept to herself, she would be with the kids or working.

“With the spotlight they have been under, their kids are well-behaved. To have that level of fame and maintain their family unit, they must be doing something right.”

The former Marine, from Enfield, north London, was hired to protect the Beckhams via US security firm Gavin De Becker.

He had to pass tests including being pepper-sprayed in the eyes and tackling an MMA fighter in the dark. And before joining the Beckhams, he had to sign a 50-year Non Disclosure Agreement – one of 183 newspapers reported at the time he had inked.

As well as the former England captain and his fashion designer wife, Craig also protected Hollywood A-listers including Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lawrence and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was not immediately clear this morning where exactly he had been found and what the circumstances of his sad passing were.

Middlesex University professor Linda Duffy wrote in an online tribute: “I’m so sorry for your loss Sally. Condolences to all the family. Thank you for your service Craig. A brave Royal Marine.”

Susannah Washington added: “Sending hugs and you know everyone is thinking of you and sending their love at this devestating time for you.”

Craig’s body was found on Saturday morning at a park in Lliria, a medium-sized town off the CV35 motorway to the north of the east coast Spanish city of Valencia. The park – called Saint Vincent’s Park or Parque San Vicente in Spanish – is around two miles from Lliria town centre.

-Mirror

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