The NFF has confirmed the death of 1980 AFCON champion Charles Bassey, who passed away on Saturday, just hours after teammate Christian Chukwu.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the death of Charles Bassey, a member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.
Bassey, 71, died on Saturday after a prolonged illness in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State. His passing came just hours after the death of Christian Chukwu, captain of the 1980 Green Eagles squad.
“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigerian football fraternity are deeply saddened by the turn of events. We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, in a statement on Monday.
Bassey was among the 22 players who led Nigeria to its first AFCON title with a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Lagos. After retirement, he coached several clubs including Calabar Rovers and Akwa United.
He becomes the ninth member of the iconic 1980 squad to pass away.
