Charles Bassey, a former member of Nigeria’s iconic Green Eagles, has passed away after a prolonged battle with health issues. His death was confirmed by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in a statement released on Sunday.
Bassey, who was an integral part of the Eagles team that claimed Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980, died on Saturday in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State. His passing came mere hours after the death of another football legend, Christian Chukwu, who both captained and coached the Eagles.
Bassey’s health had been deteriorating for many years, with a significant setback in 1986 when he was involved in a car accident that resulted in nerve root compression in his spinal cord. In 2019, he publicly shared the ongoing challenges from the injury, explaining that his condition had worsened over time, causing mobility issues and making it increasingly difficult for him to walk. He also made an emotional appeal for financial assistance to manage his mounting medical expenses.
In 2021, Bassey received support from the Femi Otedola Foundation, which funded spinal surgery that offered some respite. However, despite this, his health struggles persisted.
In addition to his playing career, Bassey made a notable transition into football management. He coached several clubs within Nigeria’s domestic football league, including Calabar Rovers, Wikki Tourists of Bauchi, BCC Lions of Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus of Eket, and Akwa United Football Club.
Bassey’s death is a significant loss for the 1980 AFCON-winning squad, as he becomes the ninth member of that historic team to pass away. Other departed members of the squad include Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Christian Chukwu, Okechukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atugbu, Mudashiru Lawal, and Martins Eyo.
This marks a sad chapter in Nigerian football history, as the sport and the nation mourn the loss of one of its heroes.
