By Gloria Drealomalicha
Hope has returned for Katsina United defender Chinedu Ozor after the footballer, who was earlier reported dead, allegedly showed signs of movement at a mortuary and was rushed back to hospital.
Ozor collapsed during a pre-season friendly between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.
He was subsequently taken to hospital but was later reported to have died, triggering an outpouring of grief from his club and the wider Nigerian football community.
However, in a dramatic twist, reports emerged on Tuesday evening that the newly signed defender had shown signs of movement while at the mortuary.
Grassroots sports journalist, Prince CJ, broke the development in a video shared on Facebook.
According to him, Ozor’s hand reportedly moved while he was at the mortuary, prompting those around him to rush him back to hospital.
He said the development had raised fresh hopes that the footballer could survive.
A separate update from Ozor’s former club, Heartland FC, also claimed that the defender had been taken from the mortuary back to hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement.
The update said Ozor was placed on oxygen while medical personnel worked to revive him.
“Reliable sources say Chinedu Ozor has been moved from the mortuary to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement. He is currently on oxygen as medics work to revive him,” Heartland said.
The club also called for prayers for the footballer, expressing hope that he would recover.
The latest development came only hours after Katsina United announced Ozor’s death.
The club had described the incident as tragic and offered condolences to his family and loved ones.
“We mourn the tragic passing of our newly signed player, Ozoh Chinedu, following a medical emergency during today’s friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC,” the club said.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and strength are with his family and loved ones. Rest on Warrior.”
Katsina United did not disclose the nature of the medical emergency or provide further details about what happened after Ozor collapsed during the match.
Rivers United also joined the growing list of clubs mourning the defender.
In a statement signed by its General Manager, Okey Kpalukwu, Rivers United extended its condolences to Ozor’s family and the Katsina United community.
The club said its thoughts and prayers were with the Nigerian football family following the incident.
Ozor recently joined Katsina United as the club strengthened its squad ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
He previously played for Heartland and Kano Pillars.
Available transfer records show that he moved from Heartland to Kano Pillars in July 2025 before subsequently joining Katsina United.
He featured for Kano Pillars during the 2025/26 NPFL season, including a league encounter against Niger Tornadoes in March.
As of Tuesday night, there was no detailed official medical statement confirming Ozor’s current condition.
The conflicting reports have left fans, teammates and members of the football community anxiously awaiting further information on the defender’s condition
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