Christian Chukwu will on Sunday August 4, 2019, hold a thanksgiving service after successfully undergoing surgery at the Wellington Hospital, in St John’s Woods, London, Completesports.com reports.
The thanksgiving church service has been slated to hold at Chukwu’s home town, specifically at St Philips Anglican Church, Obe, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The former Nigeria captain and coach told Completesports.com that after the church service, there will be grand reception and entertainment of guests at his family compound.
Christian Chukwu, MFR, recently returned from London where he successfully went through the surgeon’s knife over a waist related ailment.
The bills of his treatment in London was footed by oil and gas magnate and chief executive of Forte Oil Limited, Chief Femi Otedola to the tune of over $50,000.
Benson Ejindu, patron of ex Rangers Players Association had brought to the attention of the public, Chukwu’s ailment, saying it would cost $50, 000 to fly the former Nigeria captain abroad for treatment.
It was at this point that Chief Otedola stepped in and bankrolled the treatment of Chukwu who assisted Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen in 1985 to win the FIFA U17 World Cup for Nigeria in China.
Chukwu, who was called ‘Chairman’ during his playing days, captained the then Green Eagles to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time for Nigeria in 1980 in Lagos.
He was also captain of Rangers when the Coal City Flying Antelopes won the then African Cup Winners Cup in 1977.
As a coach, he coached his childhood club, Rangers, at different times and coached Super Eagles from 2000 to 2005.
The NFF and CAF Legend also coached several clubs in the domestic scene, including Iwuanyanwu Nationale (Now Heartland) in 1994/1995.
Chukwu’s coaching career also spanned across Africa and Europe with coaching spells at SAFA FC of Lebanon in 1996 and later Kenyan National Team, Harambee Stars, in 1998.
Until his recent health challenges, Chukwu was the Technical Director of Enugu Rangers.
By Sab Osuji
