Vice President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), South-West zone, Ayodeji Ogunsakin, has described the death of a former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu as a big loss to the football stakeholders.
Ogunsakin said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.
According to him, the contributions of Chukwu, during his time as the captain of the then Green Eagles, in the historic 1980 Africa Cup where Nigeria emerged champions, will remain evergreen in the heart of many Nigerians.
Ogunsakin said as the head coach of the Super Eagles that won a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, Chukwu’s contribution was a testament of his passion and commitment to the nation through the game of football.
“The death of Nigerian football icon, Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday at 74 years old, is a big loss to the nation’s football stakeholders.
“He devoted his time to improving football development both at the National and International levels.
“At the Nation’s league level, Chukwu devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple National titles and equally led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.
“Chukwu’s act of patriotism to his fatherland will forever remain indelible in the nation’s football history.
“We want to extend our condolences to the family, friends and associates of the late football icon, Christian Chukwu, we pray that God Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest,” he said.
The SWAN VP, however, urged coaches to emulate the act of patriotism of the late football icon by displaying utmost commitment to the development of football in Nigeria. (NAN)