NFF Reacts As Super Eagles Star Samuel Chukwueze Loses Mum

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has been thrown into fresh mourning following the death of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, the mother of Super Eagles forward, Samuel Chukwueze.

Naija News reports that Mrs Chukwueze passed away in the early hours of Thursday, January 29, 2026, after a brief illness, dealing a heavy blow to the football community and the family of the AC Milan winger.

The sad news was confirmed on Thursday morning by the footballer’s siblings, Princess Chukwueze and David Chukwueze, through separate posts on their social media platforms.

In their announcements, the siblings described their late mother as the matriarch of the Chukwueze family, noting that her death came suddenly after a short illness.

The announcement immediately sparked an outpouring of condolences from fans, teammates and football stakeholders across the country.

Chukwueze Has Always Acknowledged His Mother’s Influence

Reacting to the development, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi, described the late Mrs Chukwueze as a strong and supportive presence in the lives of her children, especially Samuel.

Sanusi noted that the Super Eagles winger had often spoken about his mother’s influence on his football journey and professional growth.

“We are aware that Mrs Sarah Chukwueze was a vital and supportive presence in the lives of her children, including our international player, Samuel Chukwueze,” Sanusi said.

“Samuel has always, at every opportunity, acknowledged his mother’s influence on his professional development.”

The NFF scribe lamented that Mrs Chukwueze’s death came at a particularly painful time for Nigerian football, barely days after the Super Eagles mourned the death of the father of team captain Wilfred Ndidi.

“We are sad at her departure, coming only a few days after we had to mourn the sudden passing of the father of Super Eagles’ captain, Wilfred Ndidi,” Sanusi added.

Sanusi further prayed for divine comfort for the Chukwueze family, especially Samuel and his siblings, as they come to terms with the loss.

“We pray that God will grant her eternal rest, and also grant those she has left behind, including Samuel and his siblings, the fortitude to bear the big loss,” he said.

The death of Mrs Chukwueze has once again united the Nigerian football family in grief, as tributes continue to pour in for the late mother of one of the country’s brightest football stars.