The Super Eagles on Thursday night observed a minute silence in honour of the lives of Nigerians lost in the course of Nigeria’s semi-final match against South Africa.
NewsWireNGR reports that no fewer than four persons died, Wednesday night while watching the semi-final match at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Nigeria’s men national team in a condelense and apprecition message to the family and people that lost their lives while watching the game said: “During the course of our semi-final match, we tragically lost few supporters. In a cruel twist of fate, their fervent passion for the beautiful game unwittingly led them to their final moments As the Nigeria vs South Africa match unfolded, they were lost in the thrill of the game, unaware of the looming danger. May their souls find eternal peace, forever remembered for their love of football and the togetherness it brings. Rest in peace.”
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), passed away while watching the AFCON 2023 semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa.
The incident reportedly happened when a penalty was awarded against Nigeria.
Dr. Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to a massive heart attack when South Africa scored.
Chief Osondu Nwoye
Nigerian Businessman, Chief Osondu Nwoye passed on while watching Nigeria and South Africa’s game.
He was the CEO of Groupe Auto Promotion.
The deceased was said to have died after the second goal by the Super Eagles of Nigeria was disallowed, resulting in a penalty for the Bafana Bafana, which led to the equaliser.
This was made known through a post on social media by a blogger, Chukwudi Izuchukwu.
The post read, “High Chief Osondu Nwoye was the richest Igbo businessman based in Ivory Coast before yesterday, but what the late Anambra-born billionaire did not see coming while watching his darling Super Eagles played yesterday in Ivory Coast, where he lives and runs his business, was that the match would cost him his life.
“By this time yesterday, High Chief Osondu was still alive, hale, and hearty.
“He travelled to Bouake, the city that hosted the Super Eagles match yesterday, to watch his darling Super Eagles play.
“He loves football and is patriotic for his home country.
“According to eyewitnesses, the High Chief was on top of the moon, shouting at the top of his voice, when Victor Osimen scored that second goal, which was later cancelled by VAR.
“Maybe the shock of seeing the goal cancelled and the penalty awarded to South Africa was too much to bear for his fragile heart, which failed immediately, which resulted in the High Chief collapsing inside the stadium.
“All the efforts to revive him failed, as he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“While the whole country was rejoicing yesterday, the people of the Amanuike community in Anambra State, where he came from, were mourning.
“They just lost an illustrious person, the richest man in the community, who was iroko who provided shelter, shade, and succour to many in that community.”
The statement added, “During his lifetime, his title name was Nwachinemelu of Amanuike.
“His immediate family is in mourning too. They just lost a friend, a father, and a benefactor.
“A reminder to the rest of us suffering from underlying illnesses like high blood pressure to stay away from watching tension-soaked Super Eagles matches.
“At the end of the day, it is not worth it. Because the late Chief was not an outlier, many people slumped to death watching the match yesterday, and this includes a serving youth corper serving in Adamawa.
“The other side of watching football, which we wouldn’t discuss well enough,
“May their souls rest in peace.”
Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi
The Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete, Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi, died while watching the semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to the source, Ayuba watched the game till the end extra time when he felt uncomfortable and was rushed to a private hospital in the area where he gave up the ghost.
“The deputy bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time and when it was the time of penalty kick, he complained that he was feeling dizzy so he said he needed to go back home and rest not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“So, on getting home, he collapsed and he was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and before he could be attended to, he died,” the source said.
Samuel, a serving NYSC member
A member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Adamawa State has reportedly died during the penalty shootouts of the match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday evening.
The corps member identified only as Samuel from Kaduna State, allegedly passed away just before the final kick which secured Nigeria’s win in the match, The Nation reports.
A witness recounted the event on a social media post.
The post read, “We lost one Nigerian during our victory celebration over South Africa at our sports viewing centre here in Numan.
“The corps member who is serving in Numan from Kaduna State fainted before the kick of the winning goal.
“He died before they could reach the hospital in Numan. May his soul rest in peace.”
Also, the NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa State, Jingi Dennis, on Thursday, said the corps member was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan.
Dennis said, ”I received the news of his death last night. I hope to have more details today.
“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corps member told the people around him that he did not like watching penalty shootouts. He then bowed his head and all of a sudden, he collapsed.
”He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the doctor.”
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