1980 AFCON Champion Charles Bassey Passes Away at 71.
NFF Mourns as 1980 AFCON Winner Charles Bassey Dies at 71
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Charles Bassey, a member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team.
Bassey, aged 71, died on Saturday in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State, following a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed in a statement released on Monday by NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
Tragically, the news came just hours after the passing of Christian Chukwu — the captain of that same iconic Green Eagles team — who died in Enugu earlier the same day.
“This has been a day of double tragedy, and the NFF and the entire Nigerian football community are deeply saddened by the turn of events,” Sanusi said. “We lost ‘Chairman’ Chukwu earlier in the day; now, we have to mourn Charles Bassey. May God Almighty grant their souls eternal rest.”
Bassey was one of the 22 players who etched their names into the nation’s football history books on March 22, 1980, when Nigeria defeated Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to secure the country’s first-ever AFCON title.
After hanging up his boots, Bassey transitioned into coaching, leading several Nigerian clubs over the years, including Calabar Rovers, Mobil Pegasus (his hometown side), BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingoes of Benin, Akwa United, and Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.
With his passing, Bassey becomes the ninth member of the 1980 AFCON squad to have died. Others who have passed include goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong; defenders Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, and Tunde Bamidele; midfielders Aloysius Atuegbu and Mudashiru Lawal; and fellow forward Martins Eyo.
