The Chairman of Abia Warriors Football Club, of Umuahia, Coach John Sam Obuh has joined other football administrators and the football community to pay tribute to the former Nigeria senior national team captain and Head coach, Christian Chukwu, who passed on last week.
The former Nigeria U-17 (Golden Eaglets) and U-21 (Flying Eagles) Head coach paid tribute to the Nigerian football icon following his passing on the 11th of April 2025, at the age of 74.
“We at Abia Warriors mourn the passing of a football legend and great personality, Christian Chukwu. As a player, he etched his name in history when he captained the Green Eagles, (as our Senior national football team was called), to win the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations”.
“As a coach, he contributed his own quota to the development of Nigerian football. His love and passion for the game of football are commendable “.
“Our sincere condolences go to his family and the entire Nigeria football fraternity for this great loss. May his soul rest in peace “.
In a related development, the Umu Chineke Supremo also condoled the family of Charles Bassey whose death came just a few hours after news broke that Christian Chukwu has died.
Charles Bassey was Christian Chukwu’s teammate in the Green Eagles team that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, and Coach Obuh on behalf of Abia Warriors Football Club extended his heartfelt condolences to his family.
“On behalf of Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia, I also extend my deepest condolences to the family of Late Charles Bassey. His passing is a great loss to the Nigerian football fraternity. May God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss even as we hold them in prayers”, coach Obuh said.
The passing of the two Nigerian football legends brings to nine, the number of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning team members to have died.
Obuh pays tribute to Christian Chukwu, condoles with Charles Bassey’s family
