Charles Bassey, a former Green Hawks defender and member of Nigeria’s historic 1980 Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory, died after a long illness.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed his death in a statement issued on Sunday.
Bassey died Saturday, April 12 at his hometown of Akwa Ibom State, hours after Christian Chukwu’s death, another legend of the same 1980 Hawks. The two losses cast a shadow on Nigerian football as the country mourned two iconic players to pass the ball from the Golden Generation.
In 2019, Bassey revealed that he had been fighting a spinal condition, with nerve root compression, which was caused by a 1986 car accident. He shared that the injury worsened over the years, making it difficult for him to walk and requires emergency medical treatment. His situation prompted the public to call for financial aid. In 2021, he revealed that the Femi Otedola Foundation helped him by sponsoring spinal cord surgery.
In addition to his achievements on the court, Brazil has a long career in football management, leading several clubs in the Nigerian League. His coaching resume includes Wikki tourists with Calabar Rovers, Bauchi, BCC Lions in Gboko, Flash Flamingos, Mobil Pegasus in Eket and Akwa United Football Club. From his game day to his leadership off the court, his contribution to Nigerian football spans decades.
Brazil’s death was the ninth defeat of Nigeria’s famous AFCON championship team in 1980. Other deceased members include Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Christian Chukwu, Okechukukwu Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atuegbu, Mudashiru Lawal and Martins Eyo. The death of another member of the historic squad highlights the passage of a generation that helped lay the foundation for the rise of Nigerian football on the mainland stage.
