Otunba Bestman Blessing Nze Jumbo, President of Team Nigeria for Change and publisher of Eko Mi Eko E Newspaper, has paid glowing tribute to late Nigerian football legend Henry Nwosu, describing him as the country’s equivalent of modern-day football superstars during the peak of his career.
Speaking with Sports247, Nze Jumbo reflected on his personal encounters with the former Green Eagles star and how the midfield maestro inspired many young footballers during their formative years.
According to him, his admiration for Nwosu dates back to his school days when he captained Baptist Academy in Lagos, at a time when the legendary midfielder was already gaining recognition for his extraordinary talent.
“I was the captain of Baptist Academy back then when Principal’s Cup football was one of the biggest competitions in Lagos,” he said.
“That was when many of us first heard about Henry Nwosu on the streets. He was one of the players we all looked up to.”
Although he never officially shared the pitch with Nwosu, Nze Jumbo revealed that their paths nearly crossed during his football journey when he went for trials with ACB Football Club.
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“At the time Henry was playing for ACB, I was also on trials with the club. I was approved to sign for the team after my final trials, but unfortunately the team disbanded later that same day after training,” he recalled.
Despite missing the opportunity to play alongside the Nigerian legend, Nze Jumbo said he maintained close contact with players within Nwosu’s circle, they served as an inspiration to him as a young footballer.
Reflecting on Nwosu’s footballing brilliance, he described the former midfielder as one of the most skillful players Nigeria has ever produced.
“From his days at St. Finbarr’s College, everyone already knew Henry Nwosu was special,” he said. “At one point, he was arguably Nigeria’s best player. In terms of skill and creativity, he ranks among the greatest we have ever had.”
He added that Nwosu’s style of play during his era could be compared with modern-day global stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s rising talent Lamine Yamal.
“In his time, Henry Nwosu was like what Lionel Messi is today. When you watch players like Mbappé or Lamine Yamal now, that was the kind of excitement Henry brought to Nigerian football during his peak,” he said.
Nze Jumbo particularly praised Nwosu’s technical brilliance, noting that the diminutive midfielder possessed exceptional ability that made him stand out among his peers.
“Nobody executed the bicycle kick better than Henry Nwosu in his time,” he said. “Despite his small stature, he was incredibly skillful and always a joy to watch.”
He also revealed that health challenges played a role in limiting Nwosu’s opportunities abroad, explaining that the former star struggled with pneumonia, which made it difficult for him to pursue a career in Europe due to the harsh weather conditions.
Beyond his brilliance on the pitch, Nze Jumbo described Nwosu as a cheerful and generous individual who always wanted those around him to be happy.
“He was a very pleasant person. Henry loved having people around him and making them happy,” he said.
“After training, he would often take teammates out just to relax and have fun. He was the star of the team but he never carried himself with arrogance.”
Nze Jumbo further disclosed how Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu personally intervened during Nwosu’s health challenges after he was informed about the former footballer’s condition by veteran actor Patrick Doyle.
According to him, the governor personally funded Nwosu’s relocation and medical care in Lagos.
“When I informed the governor about his situation, he immediately instructed that we bring Henry to Lagos. Governor Sanwo-Olu personally paid for his treatment and welfare,” Nze Jumbo said.
He added that the governor also secured accommodation for the former star shortly before his passing.
“Just last week, the governor got a house for him, paid the rent and we furnished it for him. That was where he was living before I received the devastating call from Segun Odegbami informing me that Henry had passed on.”
Speaking on the legacy of Nwosu and players of his generation, Nze Jumbo urged younger footballers to learn from the patriotism and dedication displayed by the older generation of Nigerian players.
“Football in those days was about passion and patriotism. They played for the love of the game and the love of the country,” he said.
He noted that being invited to represent Nigeria at the national level was once considered a great honour.
“In those days, an invitation to the national team was something every player cherished. Today, some players even turn down national team invitations because of club commitments.”
“The younger generation should learn from legends like Henry Nwosu who gave everything for Nigeria, ” he concluded.
