Not just Christian Chukwu, another hero of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, Charles Bassey also passed last Saturday. The Nigeria Football Federation had to issue another condolence message, saying that the body is ‘deeply saddened’ by the death on Saturday of another member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning Green Eagles squad, Charles Bassey. He was 71.

Bassey died after a protracted illness in his native town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, hours after it was confirmed that the captain of that team, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, had passed on in Enugu.

“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events.

“We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said.

Forward Charles Bassey was in the 22-man squad that became Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations champions, after a 3-0 defeat of Algeria’s Fennecs at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980.

Afterwards, he coached various clubs within the country, including Calabar Rovers, home-town club Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

His death brings to nine the number of persons in that squad that have departed, following the passing on of goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atuegbu and Mudashiru Lawal and forward Martins Eyo. 

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

BY MITCHELL OBI

All that goes indeed returns. The one who was born in Kenyatta Street in Enugu and rose to coach Kenya has joined the great orchestra of Green/ Super Eagles captains upstairs.

Chukwu, a messianic skipper was simply inimitable, and it is fitting he titled his book which I reviewed the first edition inside the National Arts Theatre as the Field Marshal.

 Soft-spoken but steely at heart and drive, Chukwu also made his imprint as a legendary assistant coach in Nigeria’s football milestones and landmarks.

He was part of the Sebastian Brodericks coaching crew that won Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA trophy (the Kodak Under-16 World Cup in China). He was also part of the coaching team of Clemens Westerhof that made waves that still rule our thoughts and dreams today.

 Chukwu gave us joy on the pitch with his commitment to endeavour and results.

He represented the face of the game and even in his first stint of transition from player to coach he won the glamorous Challenge Cup for the only club (Rangers International) which he devotedly served till this week when the great call beckoned.

Today is Oriental Derby Day as two clubs moulded by the same hands and sharing the same colour of royal white and blood red will converge in the cathedral.

Rangers versus Heartland should be the game to start the tribute to the quintessential and pacesetting skipper of the Eagles.

 Indeed the veritable Eagle is now upstairs and the triumphant canticles can bellow on in this Palm Sunday.

 Soot Suku! soot Suku! Did I hear voices from Ibadan…no it is not Africa Cup Winners Cup time.

 The Marshal is off the field. All that goes returns.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H