Nigerian Football Legend Henry Nwosu Dies at 62 After Illness

Former Nigerian international footballer Henry Nwosu has died after battling a serious illness.

The sad news was announced on Saturday by ex-Green Eagles captain Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Nwosu passed away at about 4:00 a.m. at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit since Wednesday.

In an emotional message, Odegbami said Nwosu had spent five days in the hospital fighting for his life before he eventually passed away.

“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,” Odegbami wrote, adding that the football icon had been battling for his life in the hospital.

Nwosu was widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s finest midfielders during his playing days. He was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, a historic victory that marked the country’s first continental title.

Nicknamed the “Youngest Millionaire” by teammates and fans, Nwosu built a reputation for his creativity and brilliance in midfield, becoming a key figure in Nigerian football during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Beyond his international career, he also contributed to football development in Nigeria after retirement, serving as a coach and mentor to younger players.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across the Nigerian football community, with many describing his death as a major loss to the country’s sporting history.

He is survived by family members and loved ones.