The death of the Imo State-born midfielder was announced on Saturday morning by former teammate and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Segun Odegbami on his media platforms.
“Henry Nwosu passes on!,
“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.
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,” Odegbami wrote.Nwosu, who was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON squad, was widely celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations, where the Green Eagles secured their first continental title on home soil.
The midfielder was known for his vision, creativity and technical ability, and went on to become a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football.
Following his retirement from active football, the former international remained connected to the sport as a coach and mentor, helping to nurture younger players.
Nwosu’s death comes days after Nigerian football lost another iconic figure. Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, died on March 9 at the age of 88.
Both Nwosu and Onigbinde were prominent members of the Green Eagles set-up of the 1980s, with Onigbinde having served as coach of the side between 1982 and 1984.
By: Ebenezer Bajela
