Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has officially retired the iconic No. 5 jersey of Rangers International Football Club in honor of the late Nigerian football legend Christian Chukwu, who passed away on April 12, 2025, at age 73, as announced during a Night of Tributes in Enugu on August 12, 2025. Mbah, speaking at the event, described Chukwu as “more than a defender, more than a captain,” highlighting his role as a unifying figure who led Rangers to multiple Nigerian league titles and the 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup, as well as captaining the Green Eagles to Nigeria’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980.
The retirement of the No. 5 jersey ensures no future Rangers player will wear it, cementing Chukwu’s legacy.
Mbah also committed to supporting the welfare of 109 surviving ex-Rangers players, acknowledged their contributions to the club’s dominance in African football.
He emphasized that the jersey retirement is a symbolic tribute to Chukwu’s discipline, leadership, and service, with plans to further immortalize his name through initiatives with the Federal Government.
