A former Nigerian international footballer and member of the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning team, Henry Nwosu, has passed away.
His death was confirmed by fellow ex-international Segun Odegbami in a Facebook post on Saturday.
According to Odegbami, Nwosu died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos, after a five-day battle for his life.
He also shared details of Nwosu’s final moments, noting that the man he fondly called “Youngest Millionaire” passed away at 4:00 a.m. after remaining in intensive care since Wednesday.
“After 5 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,” he wrote.
“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.”
Nwosu was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential midfielders during the 1980s and early 1990s, earning 60 appearances for the Super Eagles.
He was part of the historic squad that secured Nigeria’s first-ever AFCON title in 1980.
At club level, Nwosu played for several Nigerian sides, including New Nigeria Bank F.C. and Stationery Stores F.C.
On the international stage, he represented Nigeria in multiple competitions and was also included in the squad for the 1988 Summer Olympics.
After retiring from active football, Nwosu moved into coaching and youth development.