By Akinwale Kasali
Nigeria soccer fans are still basking in the euphoria of the Super Eagles of Nigeria victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the semi final of the ongoing African Cup of Nations championship in Côte d’Ivoire, but for the families of Cairo Ojougboh, Ayuba Abdullahi, Osondu Nwoye and a National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member in Adamawa State it is time to mourn the death of their loved ones.
The quartet of these patriotic Nigerians were cheering their darling Super Eagles to victory on Wednesday, not knowing that death was locking around in the corner.
There are no medical reports yet on the actual cause of their death, it was however reported that their sudden demise may not be unconnected with the shock they received from the tension-soaked match.
For instance, some of the deceased were said to have developed heart attacks as a result of the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, upturning Victor Osimhen’s goal, and the award of a penalty against Nigeria after Yusuf Alhassan fouled a South African player in Nigeria’s 18-Yard Box, which was duly converted by Teboho Mokoena for the much needed eqauliser for the Bafana Bafana.
For Cairo Ojougboh, a former House of Representatives Member representing Ika Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber and also a former Director of Projects in the Interim Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, he was said to have slumped immediately the goal was overturned with the South Africans been awarded a Penalty Kick.
He was said to have been certified dead before getting to the hospital.
It was gathered that Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, already had an underlying health issues and also suffers from hypertension.
According to eyewitnesses account, the tensed match between Nigeria and South Africa had made his blood pressure to rise, the deceased was said to have complained of feeling uneasy at the Sango Area where had gone to watch the match.
One of the sources said, “The Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a 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.
“On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died.
“He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.”
The university’s Director of Information, Dr Saedat Aliyu, confirmed Abdullahi’s death.
Aliyu, however, stated that the cause of death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.
“Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus” she said
A statement by the university said, “This is to announce the death of Mr. Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi of the Bursary Department.
“Janazah will be held this morning, and his remains will be interred at the Hausa Muslim cemetery, Apata Yakuba, Oyun area, Ilorin, at 9 am.”
Similarly, a member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Adamawa State also reportedly died during the match.
The corps member identified only as Samuel from Kaduna State, allegedly passed away just before the final kick which secured Nigeria’s win in the match, The Nation reports.
Nigerians is diaspora are not left out of the ‘Harvest of Death’, as the pulsating football came with mixed feelings of joy and sadness as Ivory Coast Based Nigerian Business Tycoon, High Chief Osondu Nwoye, was also said to have died dies while Watching the match.
It was gathered that Nwoye a rich businessman of Igbo extraction based in Ivory Coast had traveled to Bouake to watch the match, and was rejoicing that Osimhen had doubled the Super Eagles lead until VAR cancelled the goal.
The Anambra born businessman was said to had a cardiac arrest and collapsed in the Stadium.
All efforts to revive him proved abortive, as he was rushed to where he was pronounced Dead On Arrival.
Following the sad stories resulting from the victory of the Super Eagles against the former Apartheid nation, experts have advised Nigerians with serious health issues to take care of themselves.
In a chat with a Medical Practitioner, Dr. Francis Ibitokun on what could have led to the demise of the four football fans, he said, “Their death is as a result of shock and High Blood Pressure, which was triggered by the unexpected decision of the VAR, leading to Cardiac Arrest, which made them to slump.
“The shock may prevent Blood flowing through the arteries and veins leading to the collapse.
“It is necessary to check our health status and Blood Pressure from time to time. Anything that may trigger our Blood Pressure must be abstained from,” the expert said.
He advised Nigerians and Soccer fan who have underlying health issues to cease from putting themselves under unnecessary pressure such as watching football matches capable of triggering negative health consequences.
“We all know that we are all patriotic and football is a unifying factor in the country irrespective of religion, language and tribe, but we should put out health first. It is only the living that can tell the story”, Ibitokun said.
