Bonfrere and Akuneto pay tribute to late Eagles midfielder

Former Nigeria coach Jo Bonfrere and Manchester City Under-18 coach Chuks Akuneto have paid emotional tributes to former Super Eagles midfielder Henry Nwosu, who died on Friday 14 March 2026, aged 62. completesports.com information.

Bonfrere, who coached Nigeria’s under-23 national team to the historic gold medal in the men’s football competition at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America, described the late Nwosu as a “good team player”, while Akuneto said the former international was a “very talented, friendly and fun” man who was always available when needed.

Also read: Painful loss: Sanwo-Olu reacts to Nwosu’s death

Bonfrere spoke to Completesports.com from his country home in Holland, while Akuneto spoke from his base in Manchester, England, after receiving the shocking news of Nwosu’s death.

Bonfrere praises late Super Eagles midfielder as ‘good team player’

“He was a good team player,” Bonfrere told Completesports.com. “He was always ready and open to work well. I am shocked by the news of his death.”

Bonfrere guided the Super Eagles to a silver medal at the 2000 AFCON co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.

He was also Clemens Westerhof’s assistant when the Super Eagles won the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia. Bonfrere was also part of Nigeria’s coaching team when the country made its FIFA World Cup debut at the 1994 finals in the United States.

Nwosu: Akuneto remembers ‘talented, friendly and fun’ teammate

Similarly, Chuks Akuneto told Completesports.com that Nwosu was a fantastic footballer and a notable personality off the field.

Also Read: Former Super Eagles Star Nwosu Dies After Battling Illness

“Henry Nwosu was a fantastic footballer, as we all know: a very talented, friendly and fun man who was always available when needed,” said an emotional Akuneto.

“It was a pleasure to play alongside him in 1992 for Lagos ACB in the Nigerian Premier League after watching him play for Nigeria for many years.

“Well done, Skippo. A good man gone too soon,” Akuneto concluded.

By Sab Osuji