By Bobby Oshoke
The tension soaked semi final match between Nigeria and South Africa yesterday at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast claimed the lives of three Nigerians, investigation by Daybreak Nigeria has shown.
The dead includes a prominent politician in Delta state Nigeria, Chief Cairo Ojougboh, the Akinuwa of Agbor, A Nigerian based business mogul based in Ivory Coast, High Chief Osondu Nwoye and a Youth corps member serving in Adamawa.
He was said to
Chief Ojuogbo was reportedly watching the live match between Nigeria and South Africa yesterday in his house.
In the course of the match, a penalty was awarded against Nigeria in a dramatic fashion after Nigeria scored a goal in the 85th miniutes that would have brought the tally to two goals to nil in favor of Nigeria. And as soon as the South Africa team scored the penalty against Nigeria bringing the tall to one all, Dr. Ojougboh was reported to have screamed, and then collapsed. All efforts to revived him proved abortive
The second reported case is that of High Chief Osondu Nwoye who is believed to be the richest Igbo businessman based in Ivory Coast. The late Anambra-born billionaire died while also watching the Super Eagles play yesterday in Ivory Coast, where he lives and runs his flourishing business.
He reportedly travelled to Bourke, the city that hosted the Super Eagles match yesterday, to watch the match.
According to eyewitnesses, the High Chief was on top of the moon, shouting on top of voice, when Victor Osimen scored the second goal for the Super Eaglles which was later cancelled by VAR.
The shock of seeing the goal cancelled and 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 frenetic efforts to revive him failed, as he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In similar circumstances a serving youth corps member serving in Adamawa also lost his live.
The corps member who reportedly 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 with journalists on 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.”
May their souls rest in peace
