Christian Chukwu, the legendary former Super Eagles coach and player, has passed away at the age of 74. Chukwu died on Saturday, although details surrounding his death remain unclear.

The news of his passing was confirmed by his former teammate and friend, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami. “I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, has passed on,” Odegbami said.

Odegbami received the news from Emmanuel Okala, a fellow former player, and paid tribute to Chukwu’s legacy. “May ‘Onyim’ find peace with Our Creator in Heaven and console his family,” he added.

Chukwu is a Nigerian football icon, having captained the national team to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980. He later went on to coach the Super Eagles in the early 2000s, leaving a lasting impact on Nigerian football.