Henry Nwosu: Jalla mourns ex-international, highlights efforts
Lagos, March 2026 (TBL Africa) Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts (ANFRC), has expressed sadness over the death of former Nigerian international Henry Nwosu.
Jalla said on Saturday that the news was devastating, recalling efforts by friends and associates to support Nwosu during his illness.
“It is very devastating for me because I was among those who mobilised support for his medical treatment a few years ago.
“Chief Segun Odegbami, myself and Patrick Doyle, President of St. Finbarr’s Old Boys Association, were deeply involved in meeting his medical needs.
“We secured the support of former Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who helped to cover his medical bills.
“I last saw him at the burial of the late Christian Chukwu in Enugu, where he was in the company of coach Emmanuel Amuneke.
“He looked very well and we exchanged pleasantries. It was shocking to hear this morning that he had passed on.
“He was a good friend and a jolly good fellow, a player of the same generation. May his soul rest in peace,” Jalla said.
Nwosu was the youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad and scored the country’s only goal at the 1980 Olympic Games.
He also featured at the 1982, 1984 and 1988 AFCON tournaments, finishing runner-up in the last two editions. His final international appearance came in 1991.
It would be recalled that after retirement, Nwosu served as assistant coach to Samson Siasia when Nigeria won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
He was also assistant to Adegboye Onigbinde when the Super Eagles qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
On Sept. 27, 2008, Nwosu was appointed coach of Nigeria’s U-17 national team.
However, he was removed from the position in April 2009 after a series of poor results during preparations for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Later that year, in August 2009, he was appointed coach of Union Bank FC.
In October 2013, he was named head coach of Gateway United FC of Abeokuta.
Nwosu will be remembered for his contributions to the growth of Nigerian football at grassroots, professional and international levels across more than four decades.
