Christian Chukwu’s Green Eagles teammate is dead

The Nigerian football community was plunged into mourning on Saturday following the death of Charles Bassey, a former Green Eagles forward and member of the legendary 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.

He passed away in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, at the age of 71, after a long battle with illness.

Bassey’s death came on the heels of another painful loss — that of his former teammate and team captain, Christian Chukwu, who died earlier the same day in Enugu.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described the day as a “double tragedy” for the nation’s football fraternity.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Charles Bassey’s passing, coming just hours after we lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. “Their contributions to the growth of football in Nigeria cannot be overstated. May their souls rest in peace.”

Bassey was part of the iconic Green Eagles squad that clinched Nigeria’s first-ever AFCON title on March 22, 1980, with a resounding 3-0 victory over Algeria at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Following his retirement from active football, Bassey transitioned into coaching, taking charge of several clubs including Wikki Tourists, Calabar Rovers, BCC Lions, Flash Flamingoes, and Mobil Pegasus, his local side.

His death brings the number of deceased players from that golden 1980 squad to nine. Other late members include Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Okechukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atugbu, Mudashiru Lawal, Martins Eyo, and most recently, Christian Chukwu.