Another Nigerian Football Icon, Charles Bassey dies at 71

Charles Bassey, a member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, has passed away at the age of 71.

Bassey died on Saturday in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, after battling a long illness.

Charles, a former striker for Calabar Rovers, was one of the standout players of his generation and later served as a coach for several clubs in the Nigerian league.

His death comes as a double blow to Nigerian football, following the loss of another Green Eagles icon, Christian Chukwu, on the same day.

Akwa United Football Club, where Bassey once served as coach, expressed deep sorrow over his passing alongside that of Chukwu. In a condolence message, the club described the two former national stars as “great legends, leaders, administrators and passionate lovers of the beautiful game.”

The statement read: “We, the management, staff and players of Akwa United Football Club receive with shock the sad news of the demise of two former national team legends and coaches Charles Bassey and Christian Chukwu who both passed away on Saturday April 12, 2025, in Eket and Enugu.”

It continued, “The football fraternity in Nigeria has lost two cult figures who served the senior national team – the Green Eagles – with distinction and played key roles in Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 1980.”

While Chukwu later coached the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia and led Enugu Rangers to several domestic titles, Bassey made his mark on the touchline with clubs like Wikki Tourists, BCC Lions, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket, and Akwa United, among others.

Akwa United praised their leadership and dedication, saying, “Their contributions on and off the pitch will be remembered for generations.”

“The football community in Nigeria will miss their guidance, words of advice and positive impact on the sport’s growth in the country.”

The club extended its condolences to the families of both men, their former teammates, and the entire Nigerian football community, while praying that God grants them eternal rest and gives their loved ones the strength to bear the loss.