Charles Bassey, another 1980 AFCON winner, dies same day as Christian Chukwu

“I am dying from a spinal cord injury I sustained while serving as the coach of the Benue Cement Factory (BCC Lions) of Gboko when my car was involved in an accident which also claimed the life of my friend.

“Due to years of playing football, the knocks and kicks have worsened my condition now and the spinal cord injury has affected me seriously, walking from my bedroom to the sitting room is a difficult task,” he said

This former Rovers FC of Calabar player and coach said the accident which also claimed the life of his friend, occurred as he was returning to Benue.

“The Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu treated me at the expense of BCC Lions of Gboko.

“The hospital said there was pressure on my back that pains will resurface later in my old age.

“The Hope Waddell Old boys Association came here and took me to the Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo.”

Femi Otedola, a Nigerian billionaire businessman paid millions of naira for six months of his treatment at the Ibom Specialist hospital that expired in November 2021.

“Now I am waiting for money to continue with the treatment but the money is not forthcoming. Feeding and meeting the needs of my family is a daily struggle as I don’t have any pension.”

“Please, let the government know that I am dying.”

Charles Bassey recalled that he led ex-notable footballers to support Governor Udom Emmanuel at Essien Udim during his campaign in 2014, pointing out that the governor is yet to respond to any of his numerous letters of appeal for humanitarian assistance.

“After my speech at the campaign podium for Udom at Essien Udim, Udom Emmanuel embraced me a said he will change the face of football in Akwa Ibom when he becomes governor of Akwa Ibom.”

Bassey, who expressed regret about what life has presented to him given that he had been young, bold and brilliant in the 1980s as player who already had Grade 2 coaching certificate before being invited to the Green Eagles as an attacking midfielder.

Akwa United mourns

Former Nigeria Professional Football League champions, Akwa United Football Club, has mourned the demise of the two legends.

In a statement issued by the club’s media officer, Mfon Patrick, Akwa United described the losses as tragic.

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.

“In a reaction, the Team Manager of Akwa United Sir Emmanuel Udoh described the passing of the two national icons late coach Charles Bassey and late coach Christian Chukwu as great loss to the Nigeria football community adding that their demise, though coincidental, has left a great vacuum in the Nigerian football space.

“The football fraternity in Nigeria has lost two great legends, leaders, administrators and passionate lovers of the beautiful game. In their playing days, Charles Bassey and Christian Chukwu were cult figures for the senior national team – the Green Eagles and for their respective clubs Calabar Rovers and Enugu Rangers in the domestic league.

“Their leadership qualities were clearly seen in their achievements on and off the field of play. Their contributions helped the Green Eagles to her first Nations Cup glory in 1980, and while coach Chukwu later tutored the Super Eagles to a third place finish at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia as well as leading Enugu Rangers to winning many domestic titles, coach Charles Bassey handled many football clubs in the Nigerian league such as Calabar Rovers, Wikki Tourist of Bauchi, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket and Akwa United Football Club amongst others.

“We at Akwa United Football Club are saddened by the passing to the great beyond of these great iconic football players, coaches and administrators whose legacies in the annals of football in Nigeria will be remembered for a long time to come. The football community in Nigeria will miss their guidance, words of advice and positive contributions towards the growth and development of football in the country.

“We commiserate with their families, teammates, friends, associates, management and players of their former clubs and Nigeria football community at large. We pray God Almighty to rest their souls and grant their families and loved ones the strength to bear the loss in this moment of grief.”