Former Nigerian international and legendary midfielder, Henry Nwosu, has passed away after a brief illness. He died at about 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, where he had been receiving intensive medical care.
The sad news was confirmed by Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami in a statement shared on Facebook. Odegbami, who fondly referred to Nwosu by his popular nickname, “Youngest Millionaire,” expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
According to him, Nwosu had spent five days in the hospital fighting for his life before passing away in the early hours of Saturday.
“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, the youngest member of the victorious 1980 AFCON squad. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven,” Odegbami wrote.
Nwosu remains a revered figure in Nigerian football history as the youngest player in the team that won Nigeria’s first continental title at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. His creativity, technical brilliance, and vision in midfield made him a standout performer during the golden era of the Green Eagles.
A recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), Nwosu enjoyed a successful club career, playing for teams such as New Nigeria Bank FC and African Continental Bank FC in Nigeria. He also had stints abroad with ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast and Racing FC Bafoussam in Cameroon.
His passing marks the end of an era for a generation of football heroes who brought immense pride and glory to Nigeria on the international stage.
Nwosu’s death comes just four days after the passing of former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, adding to the recent losses within Nigeria’s football community.
