Samuel Chukwueze mourns the loss of his mother, Sarah Chukwueze, confirmed by family and the National Sports Commission

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze is mourning the loss of his mother, Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away after a brief illness, the National Sports Commission confirmed on Thursday, January 29.

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Although the footballer has not publicly commented on the tragedy, his brother, David Chukwueze, shared the news in a series of emotional posts on Instagram, paying tribute to their late mother.

In one post, David wrote, “Can’t even post your picture to say RIP mum,” while in another, he said, “My forever love just left me without saying goodbye.” He also noted, “You didn’t even carry your grandchild.”

The National Sports Commission described Mrs Chukwueze as a “strong support figure” in her son’s career and extended condolences to the family.

“Across the landscape of Nigerian sport, the role of family remains central to the character and resilience shown by many of our elite athletes. Mrs Chukwueze’s influence on the personal journey of her son and her support for his professional pursuit are acknowledged and respected by the sports community,” the Commission said.

Samuel Chukwueze, who recently featured for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco where the Super Eagles finished third, has not yet issued a public statement regarding his mother’s death. Details surrounding her illness were not disclosed.

The loss comes shortly after another personal tragedy in the national team, with Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi losing his father, Sunday Ndidi, in a road accident in Delta State just two days earlier.

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The National Sports Commission affirmed its support for Chukwueze during this period of mourning, highlighting the importance of family in the lives of professional athletes.