Super Eagles of Nigeria have mourned its fans who died during the semi-finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
No less than five persons had died while watching the match between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles, while mourning the fans via its X handle wrote, “During 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 as the Nigeria vs South Africa match unfolded, they were lost in the thrill of the game, unaware of the looming danger.”
The team prayed that the souls of the departed “find eternal peace, forever remembered for their love of football and the togetherness it brings. Rest in peace.”
A former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, reportedly died while watching the AFCON semi-finals.
Also, a sales representative, Mikail Osundiji, said to be working with Nestle Plc reportedly slumped and died while watching the match in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
A Kwara Varsity Deputy Bursar, identified as Ayuba also died during the match.
Ayuba reportedly went to watch the match at a viewing center close to his residence. Eyewitnesses revealed he watched the match until penalties when he suddenly felt discomfort and had to be rushed to the hospital. On reaching the hospital, he was confirmed dead before being attended to by medical personnel.
“The deputy bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, and when it was time for the penalty kick, he complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest, not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“So on getting home, he collapsed, and he was rushed to a private hospital in Sango, where he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and before he could be attended to, he died,” the source said.
Also, a corp member, identified as Samuel from Kaduna State, who is serving in Adamawa State, died during the match.
Samuel is said to have joined his friends and fellow corp members to watch the match in a sports center from the beginning till the last penalty by Nigeria. He reportedly collapsed and passed on just at the last kick of the penalties.
No less than five persons had died while watching the match between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles, while mourning the fans via its X handle wrote, “During 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 as the Nigeria vs South Africa match unfolded, they were lost in the thrill of the game, unaware of the looming danger.”
The team prayed that the souls of the departed “find eternal peace, forever remembered for their love of football and the togetherness it brings. Rest in peace.”
A former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, reportedly died while watching the AFCON semi-finals.
Also, a sales representative, Mikail Osundiji, said to be working with Nestle Plc reportedly slumped and died while watching the match in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
A Kwara Varsity Deputy Bursar, identified as Ayuba also died during the match.
Ayuba reportedly went to watch the match at a viewing center close to his residence. Eyewitnesses revealed he watched the match until penalties when he suddenly felt discomfort and had to be rushed to the hospital. On reaching the hospital, he was confirmed dead before being attended to by medical personnel.
“The deputy bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, and when it was time for the penalty kick, he complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest, not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“So on getting home, he collapsed, and he was rushed to a private hospital in Sango, where he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and before he could be attended to, he died,” the source said.
Also, a corp member, identified as Samuel from Kaduna State, who is serving in Adamawa State, died during the match.
Samuel is said to have joined his friends and fellow corp members to watch the match in a sports center from the beginning till the last penalty by Nigeria. He reportedly collapsed and passed on just at the last kick of the penalties.