Nigeria 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner Charles Bassey died on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the age of 71.
Bassey’s death was announced by Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club Akwa United, alongside the passing away of his former international teammate Christian Chukwue, in a statement on its official Facebook page.
The cause of his death was not revealed by Akwa United.
“We, the management, staff and players of Akwa United Football Club receive with shock the sad news of the demise of two former national team legends and coaches Charles Bassey and Christian Chukwu who both passed away on Saturday April 12, 2025 in Eket and Enugu.
Team Manager of Akwa United Emmanuel Udoh described the passing of the two football greats as great loss to the Nigeria football community adding that their demise, though coincidental, has left a great vacuum in the Nigerian football space.
“The football fraternity in Nigeria has lost two great legends, leaders, administrators and passionate lovers of the beautiful game. In their playing days, Charles Bassey and Christian Chukwu were cult figures for the senior national team – the Green Eagles and for their respective clubs Calabar Rovers and Enugu Rangers in the domestic league.
“Their leadership qualities were clearly seen in their achievements on and off the field of play. Their contributions helped the Green Eagles to her first Nations Cup glory in 1980, and while coach Chukwu later tutored the Super Eagles to a third place finish at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia as well as leading Enugu Rangers to winning many domestic titles, coach Charles Bassey handled many football clubs in the Nigerian league such as Calabar Rovers, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket and Akwa United Football Club amongst others.
“We at Akwa United Football Club are saddened by the passing to the great beyond of these great iconic football players, coaches and administrators whose legacies in the annals of football in Nigeria will be remembered for a long time to come.
“The football community in Nigeria will miss their guidance, words of advice and positive contributions towards the growth and development of football in the country.
“We commiserate with their families, teammates, friends, associates, management and players of their former clubs and Nigeria football community at large. We pray God Almighty to rest their souls and grant their families and loved ones the strength to bear the loss in this moment of grief.”
