Another large star has fallen. The Nigerian football industry is in sorrow. It has seen the departure of two major stakeholders whose contributions to the industry should not be underestimated. Henry Nwosu, an ex-Nigerian midfielder, has taken his final bow just 72 hours after Adegboye Onigbinde, a Modakeke-born coach, died. Both football icons have entered the other world of no return and walked into forever.
Henry Nwosu died suddenly and unexpectedly. At the age of 62, he still has a lot to give in terms of experience. He was a retired midfielder who became a coach to help improve local football. As a coach, he never stopped looking for talent on the streets. During his term as coach of the under-17 national team, he took football to the grassroots and recruited a large number of young boys from the streets who were interested in football.
Henry Nwosu was a distinctive football player. He was more than a football player; he was a football maestro. He was a gifted midfielder who advanced from the streets of Orlu, Imo state, to the international scene. The story of Henry Nwosu, from grass to grace, is extremely motivating. He was a man of great determination who dedicated his active years to the advancement of local football.
Unfortunately, he died at the age of 62. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown, but condolences continue to come in from all throughout the country. Nwosu has been hailed as a fantastic player who transformed into a brilliant coach, propelling Nigerian football to new heights. His outstanding performance as a player and coach will continue to inspire aspiring athletes.
20 things you probably did not know about Henry Onyemanze Nwosu, ex-Nigerian midfielder:
He was born on June 14, 1963, in Imo State, Nigeria
He attended Salvation Army Primary School, Lagos
He also Ansar U Deen Secondary School, Falolu, Surulere
He completed his secondary school education at St. Finbarrs College, Surulere where he reportedly played alongside future Nigerian captain Stephen Keshi
He was a talented midfielder who played for several domestic and international clubs
He started his football career at home with New Nigeria Bank (NNB) of Benin City
He later moved to African Continental Bank (ACB) of Lagos
He played for ASEC Mimosas FC of Ivory Coast
He also played for Racing FC Bafoussam of Cameroon.
He was the youngest member of the Nigeria national team’s victorious 1980 African Nations Cup squad
He scored the only goal for Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics
He also played in the 1982, 1984 and 1988 tournaments, finishing runners up in the last two, with his last game for Nigeria coming in 1991
He also served as an assistant to Onigbinde that took the Super Eagles to 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan
He served as an assistant coach for former Nigeria teammate Samson Siasia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where Nigeria won the silver medal
He was appointed the coach of the Nigerian under-17 team on 27 September 2008
He was removed from the post in April 2009 after a string of poor results in preparation for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup
He was hired that August as coach of Union Bank F.C
In October 2013, he was named coach for Abeokuta club Gateway United
He received the national honor of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for his contributions to Nigerian football
He passed away on March 14, 2026, at 62
