Nigerian football is in mourning following the death of Henry Nwosu, a legendary former Super Eagles (previously known as Green Eagles) midfielder and member of the iconic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning team.

Nwosu passed away in the early hours of Saturday at approximately 4:00 a.m. at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos.

He had been receiving intensive care treatment there since Wednesday after battling a prolonged illness for several days.

The sad news was confirmed by his former teammate and fellow 1980 AFCON winner, Segun Odegbami, who shared an emotional tribute on social media.

Odegbami described Nwosu affectionately as the “Youngest Millionaire,” referring to his status as the youngest player in Nigeria’s triumphant 1980 AFCON squad that claimed the nation’s first continental title on home soil.

Born on June 14, 1963, in Imo State, Nwosu was widely celebrated for his exceptional vision, creativity, technical skill, and midfield mastery. He represented Nigeria in multiple AFCON tournaments, including 1982, 1984, and 1988, and also scored Nigeria’s lone goal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

After retiring from playing, Nwosu remained influential in Nigerian football as a coach and mentor. His death comes just days after the passing of another football icon, former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who died on March 9 at age 88.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the broader football community have expressed deep sorrow, describing Nwosu’s passing as a significant loss to the nation’s sporting heritage.

Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria, with many calling for better support systems for retired footballers.

Nwosu is survived by family and a legacy that inspired generations of Nigerian players.

May his soul rest in peace.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress will face the Philippines women’s national basketball team on Saturday March 14 after they suffered a 77–60 defeat to the South Korea women’s national basketball team in the ongoing qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Lyon, France.

The match, played on Thursday at the Astroballe Arena, ended Nigeria’s unbeaten run that stretched back to their quarter-final loss to the United States women’s national basketball team at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Head coach Rena Wakama kept faith with the same starting lineup that defeated the Colombia women’s national basketball team in the opening game. Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Promise Amukamara, Murjanatu Musa and Ezinne Kalu started the contest, but the Nigerian side struggled to contain South Korea’s effective perimeter shooting.

Reacting to the defeat, promoter of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mark Igoche, urged the team to remain focused.“Don’t let this one setback bring you down.

As I always say, ‘Champions aren’t made in the wins, they’re made in the losses.’ You’ve got this! You’ve shown your strength against Colombia, and now it’s time to regroup and refocus.”

Igoche added, “‘Fall down 7 times, stand up 8.’ Let’s use this as fuel to propel us forward… The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Let’s rise, D’Tigress!”

° Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga

Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga has been sentenced to six months in prison by a Norwegian court after being found guilty of committing a sexual act without consent.

The 19-year-old, who plays for Norwegian club Molde FK, was convicted on Tuesday and ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner in legal costs, according to a report by TV 2 Norway.

The case stems from an incident reported to Norwegian police in late April 2025.

Daga was later charged under Section 297 of the Norwegian Penal Code, which deals with sexual activity without consent.

During court proceedings, prosecutors requested a six-month prison sentence, a request the court eventually upheld. Public reports have provided limited details about the incident.

Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the player was disappointed with the ruling and maintains that the encounter was consensual, adding that the ruling is not yet final and that the player intends to appeal.

“He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad told TV 2.

” The verdict is not legally binding yet. He should be treated like anyone else until the case is finalised,” Bolstad said, noting that Daga had continued to train normally in recent weeks.

In a statement issued later on Tuesday, Molde FK described the situation as difficult and confirmed that the player would not be included in the club’s matchday squad until further notice.

The club’s chairman, Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen, said, “This is a very demanding matter for all involved.

As an employer, Molde Football Club has a responsibility to look after our employees in a responsible manner, while at the same time having great respect for the seriousness of the matter and for the burdens this entails for all parties concerned.

(VANGUARD)