The Nigerian football community was thrown into mourning on Saturday as news broke of the passing of two legendary figures, Christian Chukwu and Charles Bassey, both members of the country’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Chukwu, fondly referred to as “Chairman,” was the captain of the victorious Green Eagles squad, while Bassey was a key player in the team. The duo’s demise occurred within hours of each other, leaving the Nigerian football fraternity in shock.
According to a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Bassey passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
The NFF expressed deep sorrow over the loss, with Dr. Sanusi stating, “This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigerian football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest.”
Bassey was one of the 22 players who made history for Nigeria on March 22, 1980, when the Green Eagles defeated Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to win the country’s first-ever AFCON title.
After hanging up his boots, Bassey transitioned into coaching, managing several Nigerian clubs, including Calabar Rovers, Mobil Pegasus (his hometown team), BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United, and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
Sadly, Bassey’s passing brings the number of deceased members of the 1980 squad to nine. Others who have passed on include goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atuegbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and fellow forward Martins Eyo.