“We’ll Lift Trophy for Them”: Super Eagles Mourn Nigerians Who Died While Watching S/Africa Match
- Five people reportedly died while watching the semi-final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafana Bafana of South Africa
- Some were reported to have died of heart attacks, while others were believed to have died following the outcome of the match, where the VAR cancelled Osimhen's goal
- Reacting, the Super Eagles took a minute of silence to mourn the demise of the football fans and prayed for their souls to find rest in the Lord
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
On Thursday, February 8, the Super Eagles of Nigeria mourned its fans who died during the semi-finals between Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D'Ivoire.
Source: Twitter
No less than five persons had died while watching the match on Wednesday, but experts said excitement could cause sudden death if there were an underlying health condition, Vanguard reported.
Recall that Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of intense football to make it into the final. The match was a tense one that had fans at the edge of their seats.
Super Eagles pray for lost souls
Reacting to the development, the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, in a video posted on Instagram, called for a minute of silence by the team and prayed for God to comfort the family.
Musa said:
"Good evening everyone, yesterday we lost four good Nigerians, because of the game. So, please we will make one minute silence and then after that Awaze will lead us in prayers with their family, because there is nothing we can do.
"So, they need our support right now and In Sha Allah on Sunday, we are going to lift that trophy for them."
Also, the Super Eagles took to its X account to express their sorrow over the development. The team tweeted:
"During the course of 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. May their souls find eternal peace, forever remembered for their love of football and the togetherness it brings. Rest in peace."
Watch the video below as Eagles mourn the death of fans:
AFCON 2023 final: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast match predicted
In another development, Legit.ng reported that Idah Peterside, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, predicted an easy win for the Super Eagles of Nigeria over the Elephants of Ivory Coast in the final of the AFCON on Sunday, February 11.
Speaking ahead of the game on Channels Television's Sunrise Daily on Thursday, February 8, Peterside said it would be a stroll for the Nigerians as the Ivorians would be under intense pressure.
“They (Ivory Coast) only survived by sheer luck to get here. I watched the game against Congo yesterday. They are not as good as we are. They just wobbled and fumbled into the final and they will be under pressure.
“The final game will be so easy; I say it again and we will win easily,” Peterside said.
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Source: Legit.ng
