The Super Eagles of Nigeria have mourned five Nigerians who died during their match with South Africa's Bafana Bafana at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup in Ivory Coast on Wednesday night.
"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," a statement posted via the team's X account, @NGSuperEagles, said in Thursday.
"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."
Nigeria overcame South Africa 4-2 on penalties in Bouake to reach the finals of the tournament where they will meet hosts, the Elephants of Ivory Coast on Sunday.
But while Nigeria made it to the final, the country now mourns the tragic loss of four Nigerian nationals who passed away during the pulsating semi final match with South Africa.
They include a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; Deputy Bursar, Kwara State University, Malete, Ayuba Abdullahi; a corps member serving in Adamawa State, simply identified as Samuel; Anambra-born businessman, Osondu Nwoye, based in Cote d’Ivoire, and Mikail Osundiji, a sales representative with Nestle Nigeria in Ogun State.
Ojougboh, an erstwhile member representing the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives and former Executive Director, of Projects, on the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, slumed in his house in Abuja, while watching the match.
Similarly, the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, also died while watching the match.
Also, a member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Adamawa State, simply identified as Samuel, also died during the penalty shootouts of the match.
The corps member from Kaduna State, allegedly passed away just before the final kick which secured Nigeria’s win in the match.
A post by the NYSC 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.”
It was also gathered that Chief Osondu Nwoye died while watching the match in the stadium.
Similarly, in Ogun, 43-year-old Mikail Osundiji, said to be a sales representative with Nestle, died watching the match in Abeokuta, the state capital.
He reportedly died as a result of shock after the centre referee cancelled the Nigeria’s second goal against South Africa, scored by striker Victor Osimhen, and awarded a penalty against the Super Eagles.
It was gathered that the late Osun State-born Osundiji, a father of two, did not show any sign of sickness prior the football encounter which he watched at a football viewing center at the Federal Housing Estate, Olomoore, Abeokuta.
An elder sister to the deceased, Mrs. Adetunji Nofisat, explained that Osundiji suddenly breathed out heavily after the cancellation of Nigeria’s second goal, lowered his head and consequently fell to the ground at the viewing centre.
“That was when other people at the viewing centre rushed to him and took him to one of the private hospitals in Olomoore where the doctor on duty pronounced him dead,” she said.
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