Nigeria vs South Africa: APC Chieftain, Other Nigerians Who Died During Penalty Shootout
The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash between Nigeria and South Africa in Bouaké on Wednesday, February 7, was a period that brought great intensity to Nigerians as they anticipated victory for the country.
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The match, which concluded with a 1-1 scoreline after extra time, proceeded to a penalty shootout and unfortunately resulted in the tragic loss of at least five lives among the Nigerian population during that period.
Source: Twitter
During regular time, the Super Eagles of Nigeria and South Africa's Bafana Bafana scored their goals from penalties.
William Troost-Ekong, the Nigerian captain, scored the 67-minute kick for the Super Eagles, while Teboho Mokoena of the Bafana Bafana equalised from the 90th-minute spot-kick for the South Africans.
During the penalty shootouts in the match, at least five Nigerians were confirmed dead. See their list below:
Cairo Ojougboh
Cairo Ojougboh, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former member of the House of Representatives, who represented the Ika federal constituency of Delta state at the national assembly, reportedly died when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria.
A source privy to the incident said:
“As soon as a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria during the AFCON match with South Africa on Wednesday’s semi-final clash in Bouake, Ivory Coast, he slumped.”
Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi
The deputy bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, also reportedly lost his life while watching the match.
It was reported that Abdullahi started feeling uneasy while watching the game at a sports centre in the Sango area of Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, and eventually passed away.
Corps member Samuel
Another sad incident during the AFCON semi-final clash was the passing away of an NYSC member identified only as Samuel.
Samuel, said to be from Kaduna was undergoing his one-year service in Adamawa, when he died.
He reportedly passed away during the penalty shootout. According to The Punch, his death was confirmed by the Adamawa state coordinator of the NYSC, Jingi Dennis, on Thursday, February 8.
Dennis said Samuel was certified dead at the General Hospital in Numan.
Mikhail Osundiji
Osundiji was another Nigerian who died watching the semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The deceased was said to be a sales representative working with Nestle.
The Punch reported that Osundiji slumped and died over suspected shock when the referee cancelled Nigeria's second goal by Victor Osimhen.
Osondu Nwoye
Chief Nwoye, an Anambra-born billionaire, was one of the prominent Nigerians who died during the Nigeria vs South Africa match. He was reported to be an avid lover of football.
His death was reportedly announced by a Facebook user, Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, on Thursday.
He was said to have travelled to Bouake to watch the match live and died when the referee cancelled Osimhen's goal due to shock.
Obi Cubana's friend
Billionaire businessman Obinna Iyiegbu, better known as Obi Cubana, also lost his good friend, whom he called "Nwachinemelu' as a result of the match.
He took to his Insta story to complain after the death of his friend on Wednesday. According to him, the match took some good people away that day.
Super Eagles mourn
Amid the development, the Super Eagles took to its social media page to mourn those who passed away while watching the team's game against South Africa.
In a tweet, the team offered prayers for the repose of the departed souls and asked God to grant their families the strength to bear the loss.
See the tweet below:
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"How football can unite Nigeria": Buhari's ex-aide
Legit.ng earlier reported that Bashir Ahmad, former president Muhammadu Buhari's ex-aide, explained how football unites Nigerians.
Ahmad said he met with a Nigerian in Bouake during the Nigeria vs South Africa match in Cote d'Ivoire.
The former presidential aide said he and the unnamed Nigerians laughed and took pictures together without thinking of their political affiliations.
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Source: Legit.ng
