Connect with us

Sports

Football Icon, Christian Chukwu Laid To Rest In Enugu

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The late Nigerian football legend and coach, Christian Chukwu, fondly called “Chairman”, was on Saturday laid to rest at his country home in Obe, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Chukwu, a former Super Eagles captain and head coach, died on April 12 at the age of 74. His burial capped nearly 10 days of events in his honour, including nights of tributes in Lagos and Enugu, as well as a football colloquium.

Speaking at the burial, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State described Chukwu as a source of inspiration whose humility and discipline touched many lives.

Mbah said, “For me, and I believe for so many as well, it is difficult for you to have met Chairman without being inspired by his simplicity and humility.

Advertisement

“Without a doubt, he was disciplined, dignified, polite, and empathetic. As a government, we are going to always stand by you and ensure that Chukwu is immortalised, for indeed he served and loved Enugu and Nigeria with all his heart.”

In his homily, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ike, praised Chukwu’s contributions to Nigerian and African football, describing him as a “strong man” who excelled both on and off the pitch.

“Chukwu has won battles with Rangers, Super Eagles and others. The Lord has been gracious unto him through several battles; he was an all-rounded man, very generous, and his generosity extended to the family of St Philip’s Church, Obe,” Ike said.

The cleric recalled that after leading Nigeria to its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, Chukwu received a national honour. In 2012, he was further recognised with the prestigious African Football Legend Award.

Advertisement

Responding on behalf of the family, Mr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu Jr thanked dignitaries, ex-players, and football stakeholders for honouring his father.

Born in Enugu, Chukwu is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest defenders of all time. He captained Enugu Rangers and the Super Eagles, leading the national team to victory in the 1980 Nations Cup.

After retiring as a player, he managed both the Super Eagles and Rangers, earning widespread respect for his discipline, humility, and commitment to developing football in Nigeria.

Among those present at the burial were former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi; President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, represented by Mr. George Aluo; and Senator Victor Umeh.

Advertisement

Others included members of the Enugu Executive Council, the retired Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, ex-Rangers players, and sports administrators.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Mo Salah takes over from Osimhen as the highest paid player in Turkish league

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

 

Egyptian sensation Mohamed Salah has reportedly become the highest-paid footballer in the Turkish Super Lig following his move to Trabzonspor, with his weekly salary surpassing that of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

According to salary data published by Capology, the former Liverpool star is earning £342,500 per week after signing a two-year contract with the Turkish club, making him the league’s top earner.

Salah’s reported wages place him ahead of Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, who previously occupied the top spot with an estimated weekly salary of £307,795.

Advertisement

Former Chelsea and France midfielder N’Golo Kante, now with Fenerbahce, ranks third on the list, taking home £225,716 every week.

The Super Lig’s growing financial strength is further reflected in the salaries of several other international stars who now ply their trade in Turkey.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who recently joined the Turkish top flight, reportedly earns £225,716 per week, matching Kante’s salary.

Former Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane is also among the league’s highest earners, with reported weekly wages of £184,677.

Advertisement

 

Three other high-profile players Mason Greenwood, Milan Skriniar, and Marco Asensio are each said to receive £164,157 per week.

 

Brazilian attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca reportedly earns £153,980 weekly, while Belgian international Leandro Trossard takes home £133,460.

Advertisement

Rounding off the list are Nathan Ake and Matteo Guendouzi, who are each reported to earn £123,118 every week.

 

Salah’s arrival is widely seen as another major statement of intent by the Turkish Super Lig, which has increasingly attracted established European stars through lucrative contracts and ambitious transfer deals.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

English FA withdraws support for Infantino – Reports

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

The English Football Association has withdrawn its support for under-fire FIFA president Gianni Infantino after his failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, according to reports on Thursday.

The BBC and Sky said the FA has sent a letter underlining its refusal to back Infantino, who wanted to sell a 20 percent stake in the World Cup to private equity investors through his FIFA Forward Enterprise.

The plan sparked a cascade of criticism for Infantino and was rejected by European body UEFA and two other continental confederations, forcing him to scrap the scheme last week.

Amid growing calls for his resignation, the 56-year-old received the backing of senior FIFA directors at an emergency meeting in Morocco on Wednesday.

Advertisement

But UEFA turned the heat back up on Infantino on Thursday when it said it would maintain its plan to boycott the men’s and women’s World Cups in protest at his “shabby” plot.

UEFA said in a statement that FIFA’s support of Infantino “changed nothing”.

According to British media, the English FA has joined the chorus of disapproval by refusing to support his bid for re-election as FIFA president next year.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who now works for FIFA, and ex-Portugal star Luis Figo are among the leading names from the football world to condemn Infantino’s plan.

Advertisement

As Infantino clings to his role, global players’ union, FIFPRO on Thursday condemned FIFA and its president for their “abuse of power”.

FIFA had said during Wednesday’s meeting that “mistakes” were “acknowledged”.

World football’s governing body insisted it was “not the intention” for the FIFA Council and member associations to “feel excluded from the process and that the process should have been handled differently”.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Newcastle Appoints Matthias Jaissle As New Head Coach

Published

on

By

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of Matthias Jaissle as the club’s new head coach following the departure of Eddie Howe.

The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the English Premier League club announced the appointment on Wednesday, with the 38-year-old German taking over at St. James’ Park after a successful spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

Although Jaissle has built an impressive coaching résumé in recent years, he is yet to manage a club in one of Europe’s top-flight leagues.

Reacting to his appointment, Jaissle expressed delight at joining Newcastle, describing the opportunity as one of the biggest moments of his coaching career.

Advertisement

“It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United.

“This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.

“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club’s journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see,” he said.

Jaissle’s playing career ended prematurely at the age of 25 after he suffered an injury.

Advertisement

He moved into coaching and got his first managerial opportunity with Austrian club Liefering, where he guided the team to a second-place finish in the second division, matching the club’s best-ever league performance.

In 2021, he was appointed head coach of Red Bull Salzburg and enjoyed immediate success, leading the Austrian giants to back-to-back league titles as well as lifting the Austrian Cup.

He later joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in 2023, where he further enhanced his reputation by leading the club to consecutive AFC Champions League titles in 2025 and 2026.

Jaissle takes charge of a Newcastle side looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

Advertisement

His predecessor, Eddie Howe, transformed the Magpies during his five-year spell at the club after replacing Steve Bruce in November 2021.

Howe guided Newcastle back into the UEFA Champions League in 2023 before securing qualification again in 2025.

His biggest achievement came in March 2025 when Newcastle defeated Liverpool in the League Cup final to win their first major trophy since 1969.

Despite his earlier successes, Howe came under increasing pressure last season as Newcastle struggled in the Premier League.

Advertisement

The uncertainty surrounding striker Alexander Isak’s prolonged transfer to Liverpool affected the team’s campaign, with the Magpies finishing 12th after suffering 17 defeats in 38 league matches.

Newcastle also reached the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 but were convincingly beaten 8-3 on aggregate by Barcelona.

The club has since lost more key players during the summer transfer window, with midfielder Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham Hotspur and England international Anthony Gordon completing a move to Barcelona.

Jaissle will now be expected to rebuild the squad and restore Newcastle’s challenge for European qualification and domestic honours.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News