The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the death of legendary midfielder Henry Nwosu, MON, who passed away on Saturday morning, March 14, 2026, at the age of 62.
đïžHenry Nwosu dies at 62đȘŠ
— OlĂșwashĂnĂ ĂkĂ©lĂšjĂŹ (@oluwashina) March 14, 2026
After 5 days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call âYoungest Millionaireâ 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.
âïžSegun Odegbami pic.twitter.com/f4MeXLm0i6
The passing of the Imo State-born football icon was confirmed on Saturday morning by his long-time friend and former teammate, Segun Odegbami. Nwosu, a standout figure in Nigeria’s golden era of football, died at 4:00 am at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, after spending five days in intensive care. Odegbami, a fellow 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, expressed his grief across his media platforms, stating: âHenry Nwosu passes on! After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call âYoungest Millionaireâ 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.â
Nwosuâs legacy is inextricably linked to the 1980 AFCON, where, as the youngest member of the squad, he helped the Green Eagles secure their first-ever continental title on home soil. Celebrated for his extraordinary vision, creativity, and technical finesse, he earned the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) national honor for his contributions to the sport. Odegbami, sharing the news with a heavy heart, wrote: âIt 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.â
Beyond his international success, Nwosu was a titan of Nigerian domestic football, playing for storied clubs like New Nigeria Bank and ACB Lagos. His influence extended into coaching, where he served as an assistant for the Super Eagles and led the Golden Eaglets. His death marks the departure of one of the last remaining pillars of the 1980 championship squad, leaving a void in the hearts of fans who remember his midfield artistry. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is expected to announce formal funeral arrangements and tributes in the coming days.
A gifted midfielder in his day, Henry Nwosu (16) was the youngest member of #Nigeria's victorious 1980 AFCON squad.
— OlĂșwashĂnĂ ĂkĂ©lĂšjĂŹ (@oluwashina) March 14, 2026
Played at the 1982, 1984 & 1988 [goal in final controversially disallowed] tournaments before retiring from international football in 1991.pic.twitter.com/rhOmzsndhY
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