Despite Super Eagles winning Nigeria Vs South Africa’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match, some prominent Nigerians in one fell swoop died on Wednesday allegedly died of heart attack caused by tension and excitement during the epic encounter.
Though many soccer pundits did not predict Nigeria reaching final in the 2023 AFCON encounter, the players proved bookmakers wrong with their superlative performance.
As the match reached a crescendo, some prominent Nigerians reportedly became casualties to the ‘uninvited guest.’
One of the victims is Anambra-born billionaire, Chief Osondu Nwoye, who allegedly died while watching the Super Eagles of Nigeria play against the South African national team.
Also read: Nigeria vs South Africa AFCON Semi-finals match allegedly claims major victim
Nwoye was said to be the richest Igbo businessman based in Ivory Coast before his death.
This was made known in a post by a Facebook user, Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, on Thursday.
According to eyewitnesses, Nwosu was on top of the moon, shouting on top of his voice, when Nigerian striker, Victor Osihmen scored the second goal, which was later cancelled by the Video Assistant Referee, VAR.
Anambra-born billionaire
It was alleged that the shock of seeing the goal cancelled and a penalty awarded to South Africa was too much to bear for his fragile heart, leading to his collapse inside the stadium.
According to the report, he was immediately rushed to the hospital but all efforts to revive him failed as he was pronounced dead.
Another victim is the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi.
He died Wednesday night, February 7, while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.
Sources close to the deceased claimed Abdullahi went to a sports centre in Sango to watch the match but started feeling uneasy.
Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, Registrar, dies too
One of the witnesses said, “The Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a 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.
“On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died.
“He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.”
The university’s Director of Information, Dr Saedat Aliyu, confirmed Abdullahi’s death.
“Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus,” she said.
A statement by the university said, “This is to announce the death of Mr Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi of the Bursary Department.
“Janazah will be held this morning, and his remains will be interred at the Hausa Muslim cemetery, Apata Yakuba, Oyun area, Ilorin, at 9 am.”
On the list of casualty is a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, serving in Adamawa State, has reportedly died watching the penalty shootouts of the semifinal match between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament on Wednesday night.
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.
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 from Kaduna State who served in Numan 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 LGA, Adamawa State.
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.”
Earlier on Thursday, newsmen had also reported the news of the death of Cairo Ojougboh, a former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
