Born on January 4, 1951, the late Super Eagles international and coach Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday at 74, started playing football as a child on the streets of Enugu.

A native of Enugu State, Chukwu, a defender who showed leadership on the field, attended Christ Church Primary School Uwani, Enugu, and National Secondary School Nike, Enugu, and later joined East Central State Academicals, winning the National Cup.

Below are ten things about Mr Chukwu:

1. He started his professional football career with Enugu Ranger and played for the club between 1972 and 1981.
2. Between 1974 and 1981, Chukwu captained Nigeria’s Green Eagles.
3. He made 54 appearances for the Super Eagles, netting five finals during his international career.
4. Chukwu was Nigeria’s first captain to lift the Africa Nations’ Cup, leading Nigeria to a 3-0 win over Algeria in 1980.
5. 5. Upon retirement from football, Chukwu started his coaching career with his club side, Enugu Ranger, between 1982 and 1985.
6. He coached the Nigerian Under 17 team between 1985 and 1986.
7. Chukwu returned to coach Enugu Ranger between 1986 and 1988.
8. The football icon was appointed the Kenyan national team’s head coach in 1998 and served until 2003.
9. In 2003, Chukwu was appointed the Nigerian Super Eagles coach, managing the Eagles till 2005.
10. Between 2005 and 2009, Chukwu returned to coach the Enugu Rangers.