By Akinwale Kasali
As the Tunisian Center Referee, Selma Selik, signaled the end of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, time stood still, as were Nigerian fans. They had thronged the stadium in their thousands, most of them youths.
The home team has just lost to the visiting team. It was a 1-1 draw. That effectively threw Nigeria out of the World Cup. Ghana qualified on away-match rule- advantage.
Suddenly, the implications hit the Nigerian fans. And a combination of anger and madness took over. They went beserk, invaded the pitch, destroying everything in sight.
As the irate fans invaded the pitch with subsequent attacks on Nigeria football officials, the doping officer for the game, Zambian official, Dr Joseph Kabungo suddenly collapsed and died.
Though the cause of his death is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, as autopsy report result is yet to be revealed, its implication for Nigeria is not lost on anybody.
If the invasion by irate fans led to his death, the World Football Governing Body, FIFA, would heavily descend on Nigeria with sanctions.
Sadly, the Amaju Melvin Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is yet to issue a statement on the cause of the death of the Zambian.
But the Zambian Football Federation has issued a statement mourning the departed football official.
The statement reads:
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) joins the rest of the football family in mourning the late Dr Joseph Kabungo. Dr Kabungo, a CAF/FIFA medical officer was on duty in Abuja for the second leg, final qualifying match between Nigeria and Ghana that ended 1-1.
“The country had lost one of the game’s leading lights on the continent and beyond.
“Today we mourn the passing of our CAF/FIFA medical officer Dr Joseph Kabungo who was on duty as a Doping officer in Tuesday’s match involving Nigeria and Ghana, and we extend our sincere condolences to Dr Kabungo’s family and the football family at large.
“We take note that it is too early to dwell into the nitty-gritty of the cause of his death but will wait for the full report from CAF and FIFA on what exactly happened.
“He was a dedicated and widely loved member of our football community and his impact was vast, having also been part of the 2012 Africa Cup winning team. His death is a huge loss as Dr Kabungo was a friend and confidant to many generations of players and their families.
“Dr Kabungo was a permanent fixture at football events including the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar which is a precursor for the 2022 World Cup. He was also part of the medical team during the Cameroon 2021 (played in 2022) Africa Cup of Nations.
“He was one of the outstanding Zambian football personalities that flew the Zambian flag at global football events. We all have to learn from his example of excellence and celebrate his legacy by breeding more hard working football Zambian administrators.”
The news on the death of the Zambian official was made known by veteran Nigerian sports journalist, Osazu Obayuwana, who posted the incident on Twitter Tuesday night. He said: “Dr Kabungo collapsed suddenly and died. Cause of death not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed.”
Mr Obayuwana added that “If the death of the Zambian was caused by the invasion of the pitch by fans, the Nigerian Football Federation would be in trouble with FIFA.”
Having played a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the Super played a 1-1 draw, missing out of the world showpiece on away goal rules.
For the second time, Nigeria’s flag won’t be hoisted at the World Soccer showpiece since making its debut at the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the United States of America.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and now the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the first to be hosted in the Middle East.
