Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into deep mourning following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nwosu is one of the most memorable figures from Nigeria's historic victory at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations.
The former international died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after spending several days in intensive care. He was 62 years old.
The sad news was confirmed by former Nigerian football star Segun Odegbami, who shared an emotional message announcing the passing of his former national teammate.
“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 of the victorious 1980 AFCON squad,” Odegbami wrote.
According to him, the former midfielder passed away around 4:00 a.m. after battling for his life for five days in hospital.
Nwosu was widely admired for his creativity, calmness on the ball and intelligent reading of the game. During the 1980s, a period often described as the first golden era of Nigerian football, he became one of the most gifted midfielders in the national team.
His death marks the loss of a player whose name remains closely tied to Nigeria’s first continental triumph. That famous moment came in Lagos in 1980 when the national team defeated Algeria national football team 3-0 in the final to win the country’s maiden Africa Cup of Nations title.
At the time, Nwosu was only 17 years old, making him the youngest player in the squad, and remains Nigeria's youngest winner of the AFCON trophy.
In recent years, the former midfielder had battled health challenges, including a stroke that required long-term medical care.
Henry Nwosu: The football life of a gifted midfielder
Born on June 14, 1963, in Imo State, Henry Onyemanze Nwosu grew into one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation.
His football journey began at club level with New Nigeria Bank FC in Benin City in 1979. Even as a teenager, his talent stood out. Coaches and fans quickly noticed his excellent ball control, clever passing and ability to organise attacks from midfield.
These qualities helped him break into the national team while still very young. His inclusion in Nigeria’s squad for the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations became the turning point of his career.
Although he was the youngest player in the team, he showed confidence and maturity on the pitch. Nigeria went on to win the tournament on home soil, creating one of the greatest moments in the country’s football history.
Over the next decade, Nwosu became a regular figure in the national team. He played around 60 matches for Nigeria between 1980 and 1991 and scored eight goals during that time.
He represented the country in several major tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1988. Nigeria reached the final twice more during that period, finishing runners-up in both 1984 and 1988.
Video: Henry Nwosu's disallowed goal vs Cameroon at the 1988 AFCON Final
Here is the goal. Folorunsho Okenla cut inside and released the ball for Sam Okwaraji, who majestically floated the ball to Henry Nwosu to score. The Mauritanian referee canceled the goal and awarded a Penalty to Cameroon in the 2nd half. We were robbed. https://t.co/KiysiV6hAZ pic.twitter.com/aYWtsMSqZM
— Dr. Toks (@fimiletoks) January 28, 2024
Nwosu also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Summer Olympics, where he scored the country’s only goal in the tournament.
At club level, he played for several teams across Nigeria and Africa. After starting with New Nigeria Bank, he later joined ACB Lagos. His career also took him abroad, where he had spells with ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast and Racing FC Bafoussam in Cameroon.
After retiring from professional football in the early 1990s, Nwosu moved into coaching and youth development. He served as an assistant coach with Nigerian national teams and was part of the staff that helped the country win a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He also worked with clubs such as Union Bank FC and Gateway United, helping young players develop their skills.
For many Nigerians, Henry Nwosu will always be remembered as the teenage star who helped deliver the country’s first continental trophy.
