Between 1982 and 1988, the duo of the late Henry Nwosu who passed out on Saturday, March 14, 2026 and Ademola Adesina, were team mates in the Super Eagles camp. Aside that, most remarkably is that they were both midfielders who played as a bridge between eagles defenceline and attackers in the front. Although Nwosu broke into the star-studded eagles about a year ahead Adesina, both enjoyed a cordial relationship and had mutual respect for each other’s talents displayed during training sessions and crucial matches. However, an accident occured between them during their preparation for the African Nations Cup hosted by Libya in 1982 when eagles were expected to defend the cup they had won two years earlier in Lagos. What happened? How was what happened handled? Adesina, known for his power of recalling his playing days, matches and venues of matches, gave TheTabloid.net the details. Excerpts
Where were you when news of late Henry Nwosu broke?
I was here in Belgium and found the news unexpected. It shocked me because he died young. My friends here have been consoling me because I was a bit destabilised. Well, there is nothing we can do about death when it calls. May his soul rest in peace.
Can you remember the last time you saw him?
That was a long time ago.
How long?
Oh, okay, I think when ex-eagles came together for an event in Lagos. But I cannot remember the year.
Were you aware he was sick?
I heard about it when Lagos State Governor assisted him. I called him and even spoke with his sister when he was taken to his village. Again, may his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.
Can you recall your first contact with him?
We first met as young students; he was a student of the St Finbars College, Lagos, while I was that of St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo.
Under what circumstance did you meet, and when precisely?
It was football; the then All Nigerian Secondary School Games in Imo State in 1979. All Nigerian Secondary Schools Games back then was a carnival of sports. My school and St Finbars College met; it was a tough match. It ended in a draw but I can’t remember the scoreline. It’s been a long time, you would agree with me.
When did you meet at the national team?
Let me say I met him at the national team; that is, he was already there before I was invited. He had featured at the African Cup of Nations which Nigeria won in 1980. I joined the camp a year after the nations cup. From then, we had mutual respect for each other. We were both midfielders but he played upfront as attacking midfielder while I was a defensive midfielder with occasional overlapping to the front.
How can you describe your relationship?
We got on well; there was no problem. We were together at the Libya 82. That was the nations cup, which held in Libya. During our preparation for the competition at Bengazi in Libya, something happened between us.
Did you mean between you and Nwosu?
Yes.
Can you recall it?
It was an accident.
Accident? Where? How?
It happened during our training; we had a clash during struggle for ball, he was trying to dribble me and his head hit my mouth. That caused me severe pains. I was under pain-relieving drug throughout the tournament. I didn’t have a relief until I removed the tooth. It was a pure accident, and it didn’t affect our relationship. We were like brothers. We were both sure that we would always make the starting line because we loved training and doing unusual things that stood us out. Our Coaches led by Otto Gloria were fond of us and always encouraging us.
Can we then say Nwosu was an exceptional player?
You can say that again. He was fantastic with his distinct play style. He was fast and calculative. He dribbled well and passed very well too. I enjoyed playing with him. He was dedicated too. He played for the team despite his skills.
Your Coach, Chief Onigbinde is also late. What would you say about him?
Both of them were precious to me. Baba was my idol.
Really?
I can say he brought me up and took me like his son. I can remember when I came late to eagles camp at Bembo Games Village in Ibadan and how he handled me.
How did he handle you?
He handled me like a father would handle his son.
How?
I was supposed to arrive on Sunday but I didn’t go until Tuesday. He asked me and lied that my elder brother delayed me. He didn’t say anything. He knew my brother in Modakeke, he met him and confirmed the truth. He returned to camp and called me. He asked me again, and again I lied. He just told me that he had seen my brother. I felt like disappearing from that spot. He showed so much interest in me that others envied me. Somebody even went to the extent of writing on the windscreen of his Passat car (white), “Ademola, son of Onigbinde.” Baba was a disciplinarian who would not condone nonsense from any player. He believed in all players he invited to his camp. If you say you are a star and misbehave, you would meet him there. He was highly principled.
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