A Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) doctor, identified as Joseph Kabungo, has been confirmed dead, following the stampede at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the CAF doctor, who hails from Zambia, slumped and died after irate fans stormed the stadium following Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Ghana which stopped the Super Eagles from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Confirming the incident, a British-Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, tweeted, “I understand that an official for the @NGSuperEagles vs @GhanaBlackstars match (not a referee or assistant referee) died in #Abuja today.
“His name is Dr Joseph Kabungo from Zambia. He was on duty as a Doping officer. He collapsed suddenly and died. The cause of death is not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed.
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“If the death of #Zambian doctor Dr Joseph Kabungo at the #Abuja stadium was caused by being attacked by the #Nigerian fans who invaded the pitch after the @NGSuperEagles lost the @FIFAWorldCup ticket to @GhanaBlackstars, @thenff would be in terrible trouble with @FIFAcom.”
However, a Ghanaian sports journalist, Collins Atta Poku, claimed that he saw the mob beat Dr Kabungo to death.
Responding to Obayiuwana’s tweet, he wrote: “They beat him, he fell and they throded on him. He lost consciousness was rushed to an ambulance closer to Ghana’s dressing for CPR. The entire Ghanaian contingent watched on as resuscitation attempts were made with an oxygen mask. He was taken to hospital later and now this. Sad.”
Meanwhile, the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and CAF had yet to release a statement on the doctor’s death as of the time of filing this report.
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