Nigerian Olympians Association pay glowing tribute to Henry Nwosu

Nigerian Olympians Association pay glowing tribute to Henry Nwosu

The Nigerian Olympians Association (NOA) has paid glowing tribute to former Super Eagles midfielder and Olympian, Henry Nwosu, describing his passing as the loss of a true patriot who served Nigeria with distinction on the global stage.

Nwosu, a celebrated member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and a former Olympian, died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after spending several days in intensive care.

He was 62.

Leading the tributes, President of the Nigerian Olympians Association, Olumide Oyedeji, said the country had lost one of its finest sports ambassadors whose dedication and commitment to Nigeria remained exemplary.

According to Oyedeji, Nwosu embodied the spirit of national unity and sacrifice that defines true Olympians.

“Henry Nwosu, who scored the only goal for Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics, was a detribalised Nigerian who gave his all for the country,” Oyedeji said.

The former basketball international and Chairman of the Nigeria Athletes Commission noted that Nwosu’s contributions to Nigerian sports would never be forgotten, adding that his legacy would remain part of the nation’s sporting heritage.

Oyedeji also used the moment to call on well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and governments at all levels to pay greater attention to the welfare of athletes who dedicate their lives to bringing honour to the country.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late football icon, his former teammates, colleagues in the football community and the entire Nigerian football fraternity, praying that God grants them the strength to bear the painful loss.

The NOA president urged the sports community to remember the late legend not with despair but with gratitude for the unforgettable memories he created while wearing the nation’s colours.

News of Nwosu’s death was earlier confirmed by his former teammate, Segun Odegbami, who shared an emotional message announcing the passing of the football great.

Born on June 14, 1963, in Imo State, Nwosu rose to prominence as one of Nigeria’s most gifted midfielders, renowned for his creativity, dribbling skills and tactical intelligence.

Nwosu a recipient of the Labour Of Our Heroes Award, made about 60 appearances for the national team between 1980 and 1991, scoring eight goals and representing Nigeria at multiple major tournaments, including the 1980, 1982, 1984 and 1988 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria won the title on home soil in 1980 and finished runners-up in both the 1984 and 1988 editions.

Nwosu also represented Nigeria at the 1980 Summer Olympics, where he scored the country’s only goal of the tournament.

At club level, he played for New Nigeria Bank FC and ACB Lagos in the Nigerian league before moving abroad to feature for ASEC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire and Racing FC Bafoussam.

After retiring from active football, he remained deeply involved in the development of the sport, serving as an assistant coach with various national teams, including the side that won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As tributes continue to pour in, the Nigerian Olympians Association said the late Nwosu would always be remembered as a proud Olympian, a national hero and one of the pioneers who helped shape the golden era of Nigerian football.