Christian Chukwu: We've lost football icon, phenomenon - Gov Mbah

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By Iheanyi Chukwudi

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has said that the Nigerian nation has by the death of the former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, lost a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.

Mbah who on Saturday expressed deep grief over the demise of Chukwu, also described the accomplished footballer as patriotism personified.

The Governor who was reacting to the development on his verified social media handles said, “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.

“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.

He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others."

Noting that the late footballer was selfless in his service, Mbah said, “Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.

"Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.

My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose."