The member representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, has described the death of former Nigerian national team captain, Christian Chukwu at 74 as a monumental tragedy for football enthusiasts and the nation.
Hon. Nnaji in a statement in Abuja stressed that he received the news of the death of the football idol with profound grief and sadness adding that his passing has left a huge gap in Nigerian and African football.
The lawmaker noted that Late Chukwu exhibited an exceptional talent in his playing days both in Rangers International club of Enugu and in Super Eagle such that he was nicknamed Chairman because of his special ability in warding off attackers in defence.
He praised Chukwu’s contributions to Nigerian and African football describing him further as a colossus whose impacts both as a player and a coach would not be forgotten in a hurry..
“His achievements as a footballer from Nkanu West Local Government, brought glory, honour and recognition to my constituency, Enugu State, the country and African Continent at large.
“In bidding him farewell, let us remember Christian Chukwu as the captained of the Super Eagles’ squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations and a bronze medal as a coach of the Super Eagles in 2004 African Cup of Nations, (AFCON)
Christian Chukwu coached the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team as the head coach from 2002 to 2005 and led the team to a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
Late Chukwu was also Assistant Coach to Golden Eaglets’ team that won the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985 and was also part of the technical crew that contributed to the Super Eagles’ qualification for their first FIFA World Cup finals in 1994 and he coached the Rangers International of Enugu and the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team.