Former Nigerian international midfielder Henry Nwosu has died at the age of 62.
The former Nigeria national football team star passed away in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit since Wednesday.
News of his death was confirmed by former Nigerian international Segun Odegbami, who shared the announcement on Saturday morning.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos where he had been in Intensive Care since Wednesday,” Odegbami said.
“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. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Nwosu enjoyed a distinguished playing career at both club and international level.
He featured for Nigerian clubs New Nigeria Bank F.C. and African Continental Bank F.C. before moving abroad, where he played for ASEC Mimosas and Racing FC Bafoussam.
At international level, Nwosu etched his name into Nigerian football history as the youngest member of the squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
He also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Summer Olympics, scoring the country’s only goal at the tournament.
The midfielder went on to feature in several continental competitions, including the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations, 1984 Africa Cup of Nations and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as runner-up in the 1984 and 1988 editions.
His final appearance for Nigeria came in 1991.
After retiring from playing, Nwosu moved into coaching and technical roles. He served as assistant coach to former Super Eagles teammate Samson Siasia when Nigeria won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics men’s football tournament.
READ ALSO: imoh-ezekiel-follows-victor-moses-to-fc-kaisar
He was also part of the technical crew led by Adegboye Onigbinde that guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
In September 2008, Nwosu was appointed head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 national team but was relieved of his duties in April 2009 ahead of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
He later managed Nigerian club sides including Union Bank F.C. and Gateway United F.C., continuing his long involvement in the development of football in the country.
