Charles Bassey Dies Hours After Christian Chukwu in Double Tragedy for Nigerian Football
Just hours after the passing of former Super Eagles captain Christian Chukwu, Nigerian football has been hit by another tragedy — the death of Charles Bassey, a member of the historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.
Bassey died on Saturday at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness in his hometown, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the news in a statement on Monday, describing the day as one of “double tragedy.”
“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigerian 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.
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Bassey was part of the 22-man Green Eagles squad that defeated Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Lagos on March 22, 1980, to secure Nigeria’s first-ever AFCON title.
Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and managed several Nigerian clubs, including Calabar Rovers, BCC Lions of Gboko, Akwa United, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Mobil Pegasus, and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
His death marks the ninth among the members of Nigeria’s 1980 AFCON squad. Others who have passed include Christian Chukwu, Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Okechukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atuegbu, Mudashiru Lawal, and Martins Eyo.
