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Tag: Chukwu

  • Chukwu  faults Okorie’s eligibility for AFN Elections

    Chukwu  faults Okorie’s eligibility for AFN Elections

    Olympic gold medallist and respected athletics stakeholder, Clement Chukwu, has raised  alarm over the eligibility of Victor Okorie, the current AFN Performance Director, to contest as the South East Zonal Representative in the forthcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.

    Chukwu who is not a contestant in the elections fixed for today and tomorrow, said it was a clear violation of the AFN elections guidelines that Okorie who was declared bankrupt was cleared to contest.

    The Olympian submitted a detailed petition to the AFN Electoral Committee, citing Article 9 of the Federation’s electoral guidelines, particularly section 9.1.1.3(a), which renders a candidate ineligible if declared bankrupt by a competent court.

     “The guidelines are clear. Bankruptcy is a disqualifying factor. We can’t continue to ignore our own rules and expect credible leadership,” Chukwu stated.

    Official court documents that Chukwu presented show that Victor Okorie filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 21, 2020, at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Middle District of Tennessee), and was declared bankrupt on October 19, 2020. Despite this, AFN Secretary General, Mr. Israel Inwang is reportedly allowing Okorie’s candidacy to stand.

     “I’m not running in this election. I have nothing personal at stake,” Chukwu emphasized. “But we must set the record straight. If we want credible representation for the South East, we must uphold the integrity of our own guidelines.”

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     “We can’t keep lamenting about a broken system and still be the ones enabling it. The rules are there for a reason. Let’s respect them.”

     “The bankruptcy declaration isn’t speculation; it’s public record. Any attempt to sweep this under the rug is a betrayal of the trust athletes and stakeholders placed in this system.”

    Chukwu’s petition, dated May 25, 2025, was sent to AFN President Tonobok Okowa, the Secretary General, and key members of the National Sports Commission.

    In it, he warned that allowing Okorie to contest may not only compromise the integrity of the elections but also expose the federation to legal and ethical scrutiny.

     “This isn’t just about Victor Okorie. It’s about whether the AFN is serious about reform and credibility. If we bend the rules for one person because he’s in your camp, we lose all moral ground,” Chukwu added.

    With the elections imminent, the AFN is under pressure to respond to Chukwu’s petition and uphold its own constitution.

     “It’s now up to the AFN Electoral Panel to choose between enforcing the law or enabling impunity. The world is watching.” Chukwu concluded.

  • Chukwu: Ogufere condoles  with family, football’s fraternity

    Chukwu: Ogufere condoles  with family, football’s fraternity

    Foremost football administrator, Chief Jonathan Boytie Ogufere, has  expressed  his heartfelt  condolences  over the  recent death of former national team captain and coach, Christian ‘ Chairman’  Chukwu, adding  the  erstwhile  Enugu Rangers’ defence stalwart  will ‘be dearly missed’.

    In a personally signed  letter of  condolence, the former President of West African Football Union(WAFU) described Chukwu who  died  on Saturday , April 12, in Enugu  after  a brief illness at 74, as   a ‘hero of our time  and a friend’.  

     The nonagenarian recalled with nostalgia  how he nearly  recruited the young  Chukwu for his P & T Vasco da Gama Football Club of Enugu, adding  he was  impressed with  how the ‘Field Marshal Christian Chukwuemeka ‘Chairman ‘ Chukwu (MFR), conducted himself  throughout  his career as he led both  the national team, the then Green Eagles  and his beloved Enugu Rangers to many conquests.

    “I join numerous others to mourn the transition of the legendary Christian Chukwu, a hero of our time and friend,” the Ugbugba of Okpe Kingdom wrote.   “As one of the young academicals discovered after the end of the Civil War in 1970, I tried to enlist into my club, the P & T Vasco da Gama Football Club of Enugu but he  was fair and frank in informing me that he had already joined Enugu Ranges Football Club, and I respected that attitude. From the rivalries between the two clubs, his exploits as a central defender were very visible.”

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    He continued:  “Christian Chukwu emerged at the national level as a trust worthy and formidable captain of the national team who led by example. He was one of the heroes during the Golden age of Nigerian football when I was one of the Board Members of the Nigeria Football Association under the chairmanship of Chief Sunny  Dankaro as Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 for the first time where Christian Chukwu as captain of the Green Eagles was declared the best player of the tournament. He led the national team in several battles which endeared him to millions of football lovers.

    “After his playing days, he showed his talents through coaching in Nigeria and abroad.

    “I express my sincere condolence to the family he left behind, the football family and the country in general. He will be dearly missed.

    “May the good Lord grant his noble soul eternal rest,” he noted.

  • Mbah vows to immortalise Chukwu on visit to legend’s family

    Mbah vows to immortalise Chukwu on visit to legend’s family

    Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah has promised to immortalise the  memory former Nigerian international and coach, Christian Chukwu, for his meritorious  service to football  and development of the game both at  the state  and   country levels.

    Dr Mbah  said as much  late  Wednesday’s  evening when he  paid a condolence visit to the widow and family of the legendary  in Enugu, assuring them that they were not standing alone.

    Mbah, who was out of the country attending the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London at the time of Chukwu’s death, assured that the deceased would be immortalised.

    He described the late footballer, popularly known as Chairman, as a legend, who served his country unreservedly and inspired millions of youths. He said the Government and people of Enugu, his home State, were thoroughly devastated by the death.

    Speaking to newsmen after consoling the family and also signing a condolence register, Mbah said, “We have come here to commiserate with the family and also to express our devastation. We are just as devastated by his death; and his death is not just a loss to the family alone, it is a loss to all of us, particularly the government and the people of Enugu State.

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    “As you know, our beloved brother and legend, Chairman Christian Chukwu is a household name that inspired a lot of young people. He represents a lot of values when it comes to sport globally not just even in Nigeria.

    “So, we are so devastated by his death, but we have also come here to assure the family that this loss is not just theirs, this is our collective loss; that we are going to be with them all through this period of grief, and that we are also going to ensure that his name is immortalised.”

    He also prayed for the peaceful repose of Chukwu’s soul and for fortitude on the part of his family to bear the irreparable loss.

    Also with the governor at the  residence of the late defensive ace  were the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu and the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu.

  • We never abandoned Chukwu, says Enugu govt

    Irked by the spate of negative publicity the illness of Former Rangers and National team captain has attracted to the state, the Enugu state government has come out with a strong worded statement insisting that it has not abandoned the football legend to his fate.

    In a statement by the state commissioner for information, Ogbuagu Anikwe, it squarely put the blame on Chukwu’s friend who posted on Facebook with the impression that Chukwu was being neglected by the state government.

    Ogbuagu in the statement outlined the efforts the Enugu state government had put to ensure that the football icon got the best of treatment and care regarding his illness.

    The statement posited:

    “The Enugu State Government has so far been restrained in its reaction to the spate of misinformation and outright lies promoted by a friend of the iconic Enugu Rangers player, Mr. Christian Chukwu who is ill and has been hospitalised. This restraint is out of respect to the wishes of both the Chukwu family and the request of his doctors who wanted a space to quietly deal with the emergency situation that brought Chukwu to hospital on a stretcher.

    Today, however, Chairman Chukwu is walking with a stick and has granted interviews to the BBC and a couple of local media. It is on the strength of this that the Enugu State Government is now putting out the following information and clarifications to explain what is happening to Christian Chukwu and how it is being taken care of:

    “Christian Chukwu, popularly called “Chairman” in his playing days, is NOT a destitute old man abandoned to his fate in the face of an emergency health situation. He is currently the Director of Sports in the Rangers Management Corporation, a public service job that enables him to meet his basic health needs.

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    “In the circumstance, Christian Chukwu is an employee of the Enugu State Government. This was one of the strategies that Rt. Hon. Dr. Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Chukwu’s home state of Enugu, designed to take care of sportsmen who had served the State or the nation in their youth.

    “When Chukwu’s health situation was brought to the attention of his employer – Rangers Management Corporation – he was rushed to one of the best medical facilities in Enugu where a team of five (5) specialists have been attending to him.

    “The management of Rangers Management Corporation immediately deposited N200,000 with this health facility to begin his treatment.

    “On hearing about his health condition, Gov. Ugwuanyi gave an additional N1.5million to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports to give to the family — in order to ensure that the football legend did not lack anything that the team of specialists may require to manage his condition.

    “The Governor has also given an additional N1million to the family when the doctors

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  • Chukwu tells NFF: Cut national teams to 7 to reduce cost

    Chukwu tells NFF: Cut national teams to 7 to reduce cost

    Former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu has advised the Amaju Pinnick led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to concentrate on sponsorship of at least seven  national teams to minimise expenses on Nigeria’s national teams which is put at 11 as at now.

    There have been hues and cries as regards funding of Nigeria’s national teams, most especially the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons which the NFF has been battling with funding to prosecute their numerous competitions.

    The Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, Sanusi Muhammed made it known recently that the NFF is hard hit with paucity of funds and they have been going cap in hands to source for funds with the support of the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung who has also been raising memos to the Federal Government to assist.

    But the issue escalated when the Super Falcons, who won this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON), came back from Cameroun, venue of the tournament and vowed not to release the trophy won as well as not to vacate their hotel in Abuja until all their bonuses and allowances put at almost $23,000 per each player are paid.

    Christian Chukwu, a former Eagles handler and captain, has now proffered solutions to the imbroglio. “It is quite embarrassing the way paucity of funds is belittling and disgracing us in the face of the international community”, he told SportingLife yesterday.

    Chukwu, who is also a prominent member of the NFFTechnical Committee, decried the situation.

    “I wonder how the NFF prepares their budget for the national teams they have. If the budget has not gotten the approval of the Ministry of Youths and Sports as we read in the dailies then why enter into all competitions of CAF and FIFA then”, the Rangers International’s Technical Adviser disclosed.

    “I think it is high time the leadership of the NFF in conjunction with their supervisory body- the Ministry of Youths and Sports decides on how many national teams they have the capability and financial muscle to finance to avoid this unfortunate embarrassment.

     

  • Chukwu warns Eagles: Algeria will be tougher than Zambia

    Chukwu warns Eagles: Algeria will be tougher than Zambia

    Former Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Christian Chukwu has urged the Eagles tutored by Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr to be wary of dreaded Algerian senior national team when the team confronts Nigeria in a second match of the ongoing 2018 World Cup qualifier next month.

    “Firstly I am very happy that the Eagles won a precious three points away in Ndola against highly rated Zambia. It is not an easy place to go and win such points. More grease to their elbows.

    “I want to warn that we don’t have a team yet but we have crop of talented youg players who are desperate to impress and make name for themselves and also enhance their positions in their various clubs abroad as a national yeam players.

    “The present Eagles comprised of talented young players that can play for this country for the next 10 years. That is the beauty and joy of having this new team led by Mikel Obi.”So winning the three points away to Zambia is a big morale. But let me warn seriously that playing the Algerian team will be another scenario. Algeria is the most ranked team in Africa and playing against them even at home here in Nigeria will be very tough. It will be tougher than playing against Zambia but I am very confident the boys won’t disappoint. I expect the Eagles to leave up to expectation”, Chukwu told SportingLife yesterday.

  • Keshi a role model – Chukwu

    Keshi a role model – Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has said the late Stephen Keshi will always remain “a role model” to upcoming coaches and footballers in Nigeria and Africa.

    Keshi was buried on Friday at his hometown in Ilah, Delta State, but Chukwu believes that the former Super Eagles captain has etched his name among the legends of the game in Africa and will continue to be a reference point in soccer.

    Chukwu insisted Keshi has ticked all the right boxes before he died.

    “It is a sad day for the game of football in Nigeria, and by extension Africa, as Stephen Keshi is buried. He did his best for Nigeria. It is no more news that he paved the way for many players to go abroad and make names for themselves. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach, Chukwu told supersport.com.

    “Another thing about him was that he was fearless and a goal-getter, who never believed in impossibilities. Like I said it is a sad day for the game in Nigeria, and also Africa, but his exploits will forever be remembered and they will serve as a guide for young coaches and footballers on the continent.”

    The “Big Boss,” as Keshi was nicknamed, played at senior international level for Nigeria for more than a decade, before leading his country to AFCON triumph in 2013 in South Africa.

    He was one of two men to have the AFCON as a player and coach — the other being Egyptian legend Mahmoud El-Gohary.

    Keshi died on June 8 at the age of 54 in Benin City, Edo State.

     

  • Rangers on title hunt this season – Chukwu

    Rangers on title hunt this season – Chukwu

    Enugu Rangers will return stronger for the new season and aim to secure a continent ticket, technical director Christian Chukwu has declared.

    The Flying Antelopes have gone over three decades without a competitive title and the Nigeria football legend suggests the club has a target of clinching the League or FA Cup; both which it last won in 1984 and 1983 respectively.

    “The target is to make sure the club gets back to where it belongs, If we don’t get the League or FA we must finish third for a continental ticket. This time it’s a must and everything is being done that we win a spot for continental action next season,” he told footballlive.ng.

  • Those who sacked Keshi had the power to do so – Chukwu

    Those who sacked Keshi had the power to do so – Chukwu

    Former national team coach, Christian Chukwu, has said that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had the power to sack Stephen Keshi, saying it was the NFF that employed him in the first place.

    Chukwu, who said he would not want to be seen as someone who hates the embattled coach, noted that the NFF must have given the decision proper consideration before carrying it out.

    “I will only say that those who gave Keshi the job in the first place are the ones who fired him and I am sure they have the power to do so before taking the decision.”

    The former coach of Rangers of Enugu said the NFF must have made an arrangement to replace the sacked coach, warning that the NFF board would be sacked if the decision adversely affects football in the country.

    “Again, I am sure that the NFF must have made good arrangement on who will take over the job. We don’t want any vacuum to be created because we know it will be to the detriment of the game in the country. So, the Glass House must appoint a coach because they will also be booted out if football slides in the country,” Chukwu added.

    He also called on the NFF to appoint a quality coach that would develop football and other coaches in the country. “With Keshi’s sack, we have to get a coach that has quality, one that can take Nigerian football to the next level and ensure that the game becomes better,” the former Harambee Stars’ coach noted.

  • Chukwu wants return to grassroots football

    Chukwu wants return to grassroots football

    Former Green Eagles’ captain, Christian Chukwu has blasted the Super Eagles’ foreign-based players for not doing enough for the country in the last two international friendlies and has called for a return to the grassroots and home-based players.

    Chukwu told SportingLife that the overseas based players played as if they were forced to represent their fatherland adding that it would be best to revert to grassroots football and give more leeway to the home-based players to grow and mature.

    Speaking with SportingLife on telephone on the friendly matches played against Uganda and South Africa which the Eagles only managed a draw, Chukwu explained that the money spent on airlifting the foreign-based players and other logistics should be used to develop the game at grassroots level if the country is to regain its lost glory.

    “I was pained when looking at the Eagles on Sunday because this is not the type of team we have all been labouring to protect. They were so ordinary and lacked vibe and fighting spirits. The foreign-based were a shadow of themselves and I will suggest that we return to the grassroots with emphasis on the local league and the home-based players.”

    When asked to comment on the performance of Daniel Akpeyi, Leon Balogun and Ahmed Musa who had commendable performance against the Bafana Bafana, Chukwu told SportingLife:” I don’t want to isolate some players for special praise. Even though Musa, Akpeyi and Balogun tried to light up the Nigerian side but as a team the Eagles didn’t click enough and something must be done quickly before it gets out of hand.”