Christian Chukwu, a former captain and head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has passed away at the age of 74.
Chukwu died in the early hours of Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Niger Foundation Hospital in Enugu State. The specific cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.
His death was confirmed by his close friend and former teammate, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Odegbami, who won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Chukwu, wrote:
“My Chairman has passed on. This morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, former captain and coach of Nigeria’s national football team, has passed on.”
Born on January 4, 1951, in the Obe community of Nkanu West Local Government Area in Enugu State, Chukwu had an illustrious football career. He captained the national team—then known as the Green Eagles—from 1974 to 1980, leading them to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations victory in 1980. He also helped the team finish as runners-up in the 1976 and 1978 tournaments.
At the club level, Chukwu played a vital role in Enugu Rangers FC’s triumph in the 1977 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup.
After retiring as a player, Chukwu continued to serve Nigerian football in various coaching capacities.
He was an assistant coach for the Golden Eaglets team that won Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup trophy—the U-16 World Cup in China in 1985.
He was also part of the coaching staff for the iconic 1994 Super Eagles squad, which secured Nigeria’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
In October 1998, he was appointed head coach of Kenya’s national team, and from 2003 to 2005, he managed the Super Eagles, guiding them to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. He was dismissed in 2005 during Nigeria’s qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Chukwu later served as General Manager and CEO of Enugu Rangers FC, an appointment made by former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
A recipient of the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), Chukwu faced serious health challenges in 2019 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that affected his leg.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched for his treatment, and businessman Femi Otedola donated $50,000 to cover his medical expenses in the United Kingdom.
The donation was presented to Chukwu in Enugu by Philip Akinola, Chief Operating Officer of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, in the presence of former Governor Ugwuanyi, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, and veteran sports journalist Onochie Anibeze.
With support from his family and the Enugu State Government, Chukwu underwent successful surgery and recovered, before his eventual passing.
He leaves behind a lasting legacy in Nigerian football as both a legendary player and a revered coach.
