By our reporter 14.3.2026
One of Nigeria’s best known midfield players and Super Eagles great Henry Nwosu has died at 62 after a brief illness in Lagos.
Nwosu died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja, Lagos where he had been receiving treatment since Wednesday.
Teammate and former captain Segun Odegbami disclosed via his social media platforms that Nwosu passed on 4.00am on Saturday morning.
“Henry Nwosu passes on! After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed at 4:00 a.m. this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday,” Odegbami 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 at the 17 years old was the youngest member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations hosted and won by Nigeria. It was the first ever title won by the Super Eagles.
Nwosu who made 60 appearance and scored eight goals for the Super Eagles, was also in the squad that won silver at the 1984 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire where he scored a brilliant header, which was disallowed by the match referee in the game that was won 3-1 by Cameroon Indomitable Lions.
Nwosu known for his midfield playmaking creativity and technical skill on the field, played for clubs like African Continental Bank of Lagos, New Nigeria Bank of Benin City, Asec Mimosas Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire, Racing Club Bafoussam in Cameroon. He was unable to join the legion of Nigerian players moving Europe due to medical conditions.
Nwosu retired as a coach and a mentor to younger players. He was one of the coaches on the bench for the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup hosted by South Korea and Japan.
Henry Nwosu at the 1984 AFCON.
