BREAKING: NFF Mourns ‘Double Tragedy’ Following Deaths Of 1980 AFCON Champions Charles Bassey, Christian Chukwu

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed sorrow over the passing of Charles Bassey, a member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad, who died on Saturday at the age of 71.

Bassey’s death in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, followed a prolonged illness and came only hours after news broke of the death of that squad’s captain, the iconic ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu, in Enugu.

“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigeria football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

Charles Bassey was a member of the historic 22-man Green Eagles team that clinched Nigeria’s maiden Africa Cup of Nations title with a 3-0 triumph over Algeria at the National Stadium, Surulere, on 22nd March 1980.

Following his playing career, Bassey transitioned into coaching, handling several domestic clubs including Calabar Rovers, hometown side Mobil Pegasus, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United, and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

With Bassey’s death, the number of members from that iconic 1980 squad who have died have come to nine, including goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong; defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, and Tunde Bamidele; midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal; and forward Martins Eyo.