The Nigerian football community is again in deep mourning following the death of former international midfielder and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Henry Nwosu.

The news was confirmed early Saturday morning by his longtime friend and teammate, Segun Odegbami. Nwosu passed away at approximately 4:00 am at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, after a five-day battle in intensive care.

“It is with deep pain in my heart that I convey the news of the death of Henry Nwosu, MON,” Odegbami wrote. “The youngest of the victorious 1980 AFCON squad, the one I call the ‘Youngest Millionaire,’ passed on after battling for his life.”

Born on June 6, 1963, Nwosu was a midfield maestro who became a household name on the domestic scene. While he had successful stints abroad with ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) and Racing FC Bafoussam (Cameroon), he is most fondly remembered for his dominant years with New Nigeria Bank (NNB) and African Continental Bank (ACB).

At just 18, he was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON-winning squad.He netted Nigeria’s only goal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and also represented Nigeria at the 1982, 1984, and 1988 AFCON, securing silver medals in the latter two. His illustrious international career spanned over a decade, with his final appearance for the Super Eagles coming in 1991.

Nwosu’s passing follows just days after the loss of legendary national team coach Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, who passed away on Monday, March 10.

The two shared a historic connection; Nwosu was a pivotal part of the “Green Eagles” squad coached by Onigbinde that fought their way to a silver medal at the 1984 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.