The Nigerian football community is grieving the passing of another 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hero, Charles Bassey, who died on Saturday at the age of 71 after battling a long-term illness.
Bassey’s death was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a statement issued on Monday by Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the organization’s general secretary.
Bassey’s death came just hours after news broke of the demise of Christian Chukwu, captain of the victorious 1980 Green Eagles team, marking a day of double tragedy for Nigerian football.
“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. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest,” Sanusi said.
A native of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Bassey was one of the 22 players who made history for Nigeria on March 22, 1980, when the Green Eagles defeated Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to clinch the country’s first-ever AFCON title.
Following his retirement from active football, Bassey transitioned into coaching and managed several Nigerian clubs, including Calabar Rovers, Mobil Pegasus (his hometown team), BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United, and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
His passing brings the number of deceased members of the iconic 1980 squad to nine. Others who have passed on include goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atuegbu and Mudashiru Lawal, as well as forward Martins Eyo.
Not only does Bassey play a significant part in Nigerian football history, but his coaching career also helped the sport grow at the grassroots level.
