Tragedy Strikes Super Eagles as Chukwueze Loses Mother

The Nigerian football community is once again plunged into mourning following the confirmed passing of Mrs. Sarah Chukwueze, mother of Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze. The tragic news emerged in the early hours of Thursday, January 29, 2026, marking a somber week for the national team.

The AC Milan forward, currently on loan at Fulham, has not yet released a formal statement, but his siblings, David and Princess Chukwueze, took to social media to share their profound grief. In a series of emotional Instagram posts, David expressed the family’s shock and heartbreak over the loss of a woman he described as his “forever love.”

“Can’t even post your picture to say RIP mum,” David wrote in one of the posts. In another moving tribute, he lamented that she “didn’t even carry [her] grandchild,” highlighting the sudden nature of her departure. Family sources and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have since confirmed that she passed away following a brief illness.

The NFF, through General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, extended heartfelt condolences to the family. Sanusi praised Mrs. Chukwueze as a vital pillar of support who was instrumental in Samuel’s rise to international stardom. Chukwueze has frequently credited his mother’s discipline and encouragement for his successful career in Europe and with the national team.

This loss comes at a particularly heavy time for the Super Eagles camp. Just two days prior, national team captain Wilfred Ndidi lost his father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal road accident in Delta State. The double tragedy has cast a shadow over the team’s recent success, having secured a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco just weeks ago.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) also joined in mourning, acknowledging the central role families play in the resilience of elite Nigerian athletes. Despite the personal strain of his mother’s illness, Chukwueze had remained committed to his duties at Fulham and for the Super Eagles, a testament to the “quiet resilience” many have noted in his character.

As the Chukwueze family prepares for the final rites, messages of solidarity have poured in from teammates, fans, and clubs across the globe. The Super Eagles star is expected to take a leave of absence to be with his family during this difficult period.