By Miracle Ogunde
The Semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa is one major match that many football lovers in Nigeria will remember for a long time.
Despite the tension brought by the match, yet the Super Eagles triumphed. But so sad that some Nigerians lost their lives watching the tension filled match at various locations.
Here are the notable ones:
The first reported story is that of a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, who was said to have passed away on Wednesday evening while watching the AFCON semifinals match between Nigeria and South Africa.
A source close to the politician said, “Cairo Ojougboh, a medical doctor died during the Nigeria vs.South Africa match.
“The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to massive heart attack when SA scored.”
However, friends and political associates are already mourning him on social media.
The second notable story is that of the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, who died on Wednesday night while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.
Sources close to the deceased but who spoke on condition of anonymity said Abdullahi went to a sports centre in the Sango area before he started feeling uneasy.
One of the sources 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.
Aliyu, however, stated that the cause of death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.
“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
The third story is that of a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC serving in Adamawa State who reportedly died during the game, Starnews NG has learnt.
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.
He was said to have slumped and died during the penalty shootout stage of the match between Nigeria and South Africa, Wednesday evening.
A witness said in a social media post, “We lost one Nigerian during our victory celebration over South Africa today at our sports viewing center here in Numan.
“The corps member who is serving in Numan from Kaduna fainted before the kick of the winning goal. He died before they could reach the hospital. May his soul rest in peace.”
The NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa State, Mr. Jingi Dennis, confirmed the matter in a telephone conversation Thursday morning.
The coordinator 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 them that he didn’t like watching penalty shootout. 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.”
Those are the notable ones we heard of, whereas there may be others that were not reported.
Though the match created a lot of tension in many Nigerians, the good news is that the Super Eagles finally made it to the final.
It is therefore advisable that anyone battling with any health challenges should avoid watching the Eagles match to avoid unpleasant story.
Every Nigerian has the right to support their team but it must be done cautiously, because football is a game of luck.
We therefore wish the super Eagles well and hope they win the cup for the sake of the patriotic fans who lost their lives while watching their match.
May the souls of the dead rest in peace.
Also, Starnews NG reports that a-43-year-old man, Mikail Osundiji, died while watching the semi-final football match between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
It was gathered that Osundiji went into shock and died while watching the match at a public football viewing centre in Olomoore area of Abeokuta.
The father of two reportedly died when the referee cancelled Nigeria’s second goal against South Africa, by Victor Osimhen.
Relatives said the deceased did not show any sign of sickness prior to his death.
An elder sister to the deceased, Mrs. Adetunji Nofisat, explained that Osundiji suddenly breathed out heavily after the cancellation of the Nigeria’s second goal, lowered his head and consequently fell to the ground at the football viewing center.
“That was when other people at the football viewing center rushed to him and took him to one of the private hospitals in Olomoore before the doctor on duty pronounced him dead”, the deceased’s sister said.
Nofisat however, disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been buried on Thursday afternoon according to the Islamic rites.
“We cannot take his corpse to his hometown, Okuku in Osun State because he still has a father, mother and two children who are of 12 and seven years of age”, she said.
Nofisat appealed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun to come to the assistance of the family, particularly through scholarships so as to enable the children left behind complete their education, up to the university level.
Daily Trust reports that the death of Osundiji adds to the list of casualties from the Nigeria/South Africa match.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, former Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Alhaji Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi, deputy Bursar of Kwara state University (KWASU) Malete; a corps member in Adamawa State, all lost their lives in similar circumstances in the tension-soaked match Nigeria won by 4 goals to 2 on penalties.
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