The football legend reportedly passed away in the early hours of today, Saturday.

Although the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, his longtime teammate and friend, Olusegun Odegbami, confirmed the development to Channels Television.

Odegbami, who won the 1980 Africa Nation Cup with Chukwu, said: “I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, has passed on.

Born January 4, 1951, Chukwu, popularly known as Chairman, had an illustrious career with Rangers, captaining them to many laurels on the domestic football scene, and led the Flying Antelopes to continental glory by winning the now rested African Cup Winners Cup in 1977.

He was the first Nigerian captain to lift the African Nations Cup trophy after a 3–0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 1980 tournament in Lagos.

He assisted Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof when Nigeria won a second AFCON title in 1994 en route to the country’s maiden appearance at the 1994 USA World Cup.

The Enugu-born legend also led the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

In 2021, false reports of Chukwu’s death had circulated widely, prompting the legendary coach to refute the rumours during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4, 2021.

Reacting then, Chukwu said: “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. I am still investigating the source of the story.” (With reports from Channels Television)