Christian Chukwu

Christian Chukwu Okoro (4 January 1951 – 12 April 2025) was a Nigerian footballer and manager. As a footballer, Chukwu played as a defender for Enugu Rangers. He was capped 54 times for Nigeria, and was the team's captain when they won the won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. He also played for Nigeria at the 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations.

After retiring from football, he became a manager. He was the manager of Kenya between 1998 and 2003, and the manager of Nigeria between 2003 to 2005. With Nigeria, he finished third at the 2004 African Cup of Nations, but was fired during 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, where he was blamed for the team's bad performances. 

Early and personal life
When Chukwu was young, his parent did not want him to play football. To stop him from playing football, his parents had him sell plantains.

In April 2019, the Nigeria Football Federation announced that they would help Chukwu pay for his medical bills for treatment in the United States. Additionally, billionaire Femi Otedola said he would also help. It was later announced that he would travel for treatment in May 2019 after the needed funds were raised; he was later cured.

Chukwu was married and had four children, two boys and two girls.

Chukwu died on 12 April 2025, at the age of 74.

Honours
Nigeria
 Africa Cup of Nations: 1980

References

Category:1951 births
Category:2025 deaths
Category:Nigerian footballers
Category:Association football defenders
Category:Nigerian football managers