Christian Chukwu Okoro is a legendary Nigerian football player and coach. Born on January 4, 1951, the celebrated defender was a thorn in the flesh of his opponents, and nicknamed ‘Chairman’ by his fans and admirers.
Christian Chukwu was the captain of Enugu Rangers and the national team, the Green Eagles. Captained by him, Enugu Rangers finished as runner-up in the African Cup of Champions Clubs (now CAF Champions League), after losing to Hafia of Guinea in 1975.
He also captained Enugu Rangers to lift its first and only international trophy, the African Cup Winners’ Cup (now CAF Confederation Cup) in 1977.
A player of transcendental skill, charisma, discipline, and focus, he recorded several feats as a member of the Green Eagles (renamed Super Eagles). He served as captain of the national team from 1974 to 1980. He captained Nigeria to win its first African Cup of Nations title in 1980.
As a coach, he was appointed coach of the national team of Lebanon. After his sojourn in Lebanon, Kenya named him as the coach of its national team, the Harambee Stars in 1998. From Kenya, he served as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles from 2003 to 2005. He also served as coach of Enugu Rangers between 2008 and 2009. He recorded the following achievements as a coach:
- Assisted Coach Sebastian Brodericks-Imsuen when Nigeria won the first U-17 World Cup trophy in China in 1985.
- Served as an assistant to Clemens Westerhof who helped Nigeria to secure its second African Cup of Nations title in Tunisia in 1994, as well as qualify for its debut at the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States.
- Steered the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2004 African Cup of Nations.
As he turned 70 years of age in 2021, Muhammadu Buhari, then President of Nigeria extolled him for his rare leadership qualities and numerous achievements in football development in Nigeria and beyond. This was contained in the following statement released by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity:
“President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm greetings to the former coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu, on his 70th birthday, joining sports lovers, family, and friends to celebrate the skilful footballer who captained the national team to lift the first Africa Cup of Nations Cup title in 1980.
The President rejoices with the multi-talented and disciplined player on the auspicious period of turning a septuagenarian.
His contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria will always attract attention, particularly making the country proud by providing technical leadership for other national teams like those of Lebanon and Kenya.
President Buhari also notes, with commendation, the efforts of the former Captain of Rangers International, Enugu, in strengthening the local league, which has over the years been the major feeder of the national team and produced players that have featured in some of the best teams and championships in the world.
The President prays for improved health, strength, and longer life for the former Super Eagles captain.”
A 361-page book titled ‘The Field Marshal, Chairman Christian Chukwu: Biography of an African Football Legend’ has been written in honour of Christian Chukwu.
The quintessential player was one of the 340 Nigerians and non-Nigerians conferred with the Special National Honour Award on May 28, 2023, by Muhammadu Buhari just before leaving office. Chukwu received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
In 2019, Christian Chukwu encountered a health challenge that caused him to be flown abroad for treatment. He is hale and hearty and enjoying his retirement in Enugu.
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