An Akure-based doctor and Chief Medical Director of Sckye Hospital, Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has warned football lovers who are highly emotional and have heart conditions to avoid watching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire slated for Sunday, February 11, 2024.

No fewer than four football lovers died while watching the tensed match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday evening.

Tension escalated among the fans when the Egyptian referee awarded a penalty to South Africa immediately after acknowledging Nigeria’s second goal scored by striker Victor Osimhen which was later cancelled by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

However, Ikubese, in a statement on Friday, February 9, urged football lovers who have heart conditions to avoid watching the final of the tournament and be involved in diversionary measures.

The doctor enjoined such people to check the live scores on their phones to avoid screaming and leave the update if they feel uncomfortable.

He said: “I will counsel that this category of persons should not watch the live transmission of the match.

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“If they must do, however, they should deliberately engage in diversionary therapy as to minimise their systemic reactions to the activities therein.

“They can pick up their phones and be engaged therein while watching the match and deliberately play down their emotions, acting like the outcome of the match is of no consequence to them.

“On no account should they scream or jump up. If in spite of all these, they yet begin to feel uncomfortable, they should quit watching.

“If they are not sure of conducting themselves with such level of decorum, they should boycott the live transmission and watch the highlights thereafter.”

Ikubese, therefore, condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones while watching the semi-final match.

Nigeria and hosts Cote d’Ivoire would meet on Sunday in the final match of the tournament, after winning their semi-final matches against South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively.

The Star