By Akinwale Kasali
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has finally broken its silence over the death of CAF and FIFA Official, Joseph Kabango, revealing that he died of cardiac arrest.
Kabango slumped and died on Tuesday March 29th March 2022, after the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification Playoff between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana which ended in a bizarre manner as irate fans stormed the pitch showing their displeasure over the lackluster performance of the Super Eagles which led to their failure to qualify for the World Soccer fiesta.
The Amaju Melvin Pinnick- led NFF expressed shock and sorrow over the death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, who was appointed as Doping Control Officer for the match.
In a statement the NFF said: “We are terribly shocked at this sad development. The NFF commiserates with world football –body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing. His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock.
“However, it is important to state the facts as they are. According to the information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as Medical Officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team. I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said.
It was gathered that Dr Ozi Salami told thenff.com that the incident happened when he (Dr Salami) was looking to get the Nigerian player for the doping exercise, while Dr Kabungo was looking to get the Ghanaian player for the same exercise.
“I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team when the General Coordinator, Kabore Hubert Bosilong from South Africa called my attention. Dr Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath. The FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda also witnessed the incident.
“We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost. It is a very sad incident and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiact arrest.”
Officials of the NFF, the medical team and officials of the High Commission of Zambia held a meeting on Wednesday morning to decide on the next line of action following the demise of Dr Kabungo.
