The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Charles Bassey, a member of the historic 1980 Green Eagles squad that clinched Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the news in a statement released earlier today.
Bassey died on Saturday at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness in his hometown of Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
His passing came just hours after the sad news of the death of Christian Chukwu, captain of the victorious 1980 team, who passed away in Enugu.
Bassey was among the 22-man squad that etched their names in history on March 22, 1980, when Nigeria defeated Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, to secure their maiden AFCON trophy.
His passing makes him the ninth member of the 1980 squad to have died.
Others 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.
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