SportsNews
‘He wasn’t ‘Chairman’ for nothing,’ NFF mourns Christian Chukwu
By Henry Oduah
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Christian Chukwu who captained Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad and later coached the team.
Chukwu died in his native city of Enugu on Saturday.
Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ because of his imposing presence and the authority he exuded just in front of the rearguard at both club (Enugu Rangers) and country, Chukwu was overjoyed as he hoisted above his head the Unity Cup (the first time Nigeria would triumph in the continental championship) after receiving same from President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, 22nd March 1980.
General Secretary of the NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision consistency.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and also grant the family and friends he has left behind, and Nigeria football’s fraternity the fortitude to bear this big loss.”
Chukwu was in the Nigeria senior team that won bronze medals at the 1976 and 1978 AFCON finals in Ethiopia and Ghana respectively, before leading the squad to glory on home soil in 1980. He was named Player of the Tournament.
Born on 4th January 1951, Chukwu coached his darling club, Enugu Rangers (he played for only one club in his career) and then coached the senior national team of Kenya, nicknamed the Harambee Stars. He was named Head Coach of the Super Eagles in 2002 and led the team to finish third at the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia.
His death comes exactly 20 days after the 45th anniversary of the 1980 AFCON triumph. Before him, other members of the squad that had passed on, were goalkeepers Best Ogedegbe and Moses Effiong, defenders Okechukwu Isima and Tunde Bamidele, midfielders Aloysius Atugbu and Mudashiru Lawal, and forward Martins Eyo.
Former Liverpool star, Jamie Carragher, has slammed Mikel Arteta over the Spaniard’s conservative approach to games.
He said this could cost the Gunners the Premier League title, adding that the former Man City assistant boss is making the same mistake repeatedly.
Arsenal narrowly escaped from being handed their second defeat of the season drawing 1-1 with Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.
Erling Haaland scored for Man City after just nine minutes and Pep Guardiola’s side held their lead until the 93rd minute when Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic equaliser.
Arsenal recorded over 67 per cent possession against Pep Guardiola’s team, who were obviously defensive.
Carragher said that Arteta would have himself to blame for repeatedly picking the conservative midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.
Arsenal were able to open up the game when Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka replaced Noni Madueke and Merino.
Carragher said the Arsenal boss is being too cautious and it could cost his side the title again.
“Mikel Arteta has got a team and squad that are that close to being really, really special in terms of winning a Premier League and maybe even a Champions League, I think they’re that good.
“But time after time when it comes to these big games he picks a team that feels like he’s thinking more about the opposition.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t win the Premier League. Jose Mourinho won the Premier League three times and he was a little bit like that.
“But for me that was a waste for 45 minutes and the reason I’m saying that is because I played for managers who did that at Liverpool.
“We were really close, we were a top team but we never won the Premier League. I always felt at times under Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez maybe we had the handbrake on now and again in certain games.
“That is what Mikel Arteta is doing. Liverpool were there for the taking in that second half at Anfield. Man City were there for the taking at the start of this game and he’s allowed them to come into the game.
“It’s just a recurring pattern, season after season and if you’re Mikel Arteta or an Arsenal supporter you’ve just got to hope that it doesn’t cost you at the end of the season because they are a brilliant team.”
Arsenal are now five points behind league-leaders, Liverpool.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged manager, Mikel Arteta not to bench the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze again.
Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed Ademola Lookman is available for Sunday’s Serie A clash with Torino.
Juric however said the Nigeria international is not in his best physical condition.
Lookman trained with his Atalanta teammates for the first time on Thursday, since pushing to join Inter Milan during the transfer window.
The 27-year-old is yet to feature for the Bergamo club this season.
The winger however made two appearances for Nigeria two weeks ago.
Juric disclosed that Lookman was warmly received on his return to the squad.
“He’s spoken with me, the team and my staff. He was well received and from tomorrow, he will begin to be available to us,” Juric told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“He’s not in the best condition given that he’s been training alone up until now. He did very well in training (on Friday).”
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