Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, a veteran Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu player popularly known as “Chairman” is dead.
Chukwu, a former captain of African Cup of Nation’s Green Eagles died in Enugu on Saturday at the age of 74.
JoeMartins Uzodike, ex Rangers int’l secretary and coordinator of Ex-Rangers Int’l Players Association disclosed this in Enugu on Saturday.
Uzodike said he died at the Eastern Niger Medical Centre where his remains had been deposited at the morgue.
Chukwu, born Jan. 4, 1951, captained the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles between 1974 and 1980.
He was the first Nigerian captain to lift the African Nations Cup trophy after a 3–0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 1980 tournament.
Christian Chukwu Okoro was a Nigerian football legend, born on January 4, 1951, in Uwani, Enugu. Despite his parents’ initial disapproval, Chukwu pursued his passion for football, which eventually earned him recognition as one of Nigeria’s greatest defenders.
Chukwu’s playing career was marked by remarkable achievements. He captained the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles, from 1974 to 1980. Under his leadership, the team won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, defeating Algeria 3-0 in the final .
Chukwu also led the Enugu Rangers to four Challenge Cup titles (1975, 1976, 1981, and 1983) and the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977
His impressive playing career earned him several accolades, including the National Award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) He was also nicknamed “Chairman” by his teammates and fans due to his commanding presence and leadership on the pitch
After retiring from active football, Chukwu transitioned to coaching, managing the Kenyan national team and later becoming the head coach of the Super Eagles . He led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia .
He is survived by his wife, Lilian and four children and numerous relatives.
