Sports
Nigeria Vs Ghana: Confusion As CAF Doctor Collapses, Dies After Fans Invaded MKO Abiola Stadium
Published
2 years agoon
By
EditorConfusion has surrounded the death of Confederation of Africa Football’s doping doctor, Dr. Joseph Kabungo.
Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner, was said to have died shortly after Ghana stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday.
There are reports that Kabungo died as a result of the stampede that occurred at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja before the commencement of the match.
However, another account blamed fans’ invasion of the pitch after the match for the doctor’s death.
It was also reported that the doctor suffered a cardiac arrest.
Neither officials of the Nigeria Football Federation nor CAF have confirmed the doctor’s death.
READ ALSO: 2022 World Cup: Like Nigeria, Egypt Fail To Qualify For Qatar
This is as efforts to react the officials proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.
British-Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, tweeted that the doctor’s death was confirmed after he was rushed to the hospital.
It was learnt that Kabungo’s family, the Zambia FA and the Government of Zambia had been informed.
Osasu tweeted, “Sad news: I understand that an official for the
@NGSuperEagles vs @GhanaBlackstars
match (not a referee or assistant referee) died in #Abuja today.
“His name is Dr Joseph Kabungo from Zambia. He was on duty as Doping officer. He collapsed suddenly and died. Cause of death not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed.
“If the death of #Zambian doctor Dr Joseph Kabungo at the #Abuja stadium was caused by being attacked by the #Nigerian fans who invaded the pitch, after the @NGSuperEagles lost the
@FIFAWorldCup ticket to @GhanaBlackstars
, @thenff would be in terrible trouble with @FIFAcom.”
A Ghanaian sports journalist, Collins Poku, who was also at the venue of the match, alleged that the doctor was beaten to death.
While replying Osasu’s tweet, he posted, “They beat him, he fell and they throded on him. He lost consciousness was rushed to an ambulance closer to the Ghana dressing for CPR. The entire Ghanaian contingent watched on as resuscitation attempts were made with oxygen mask. He was taken to hospital later and now this. Sad.”
Meanwhile, a sports expert, Saddick Adams, claimed Kabungo had a cardiac arrest.
He tweeted, “A reliable CAF source tells me the death of the CAF Medical officer at the Moshood Abiola stadium last night was NOT related to the crowd violence.”
A report sent to the CAF team by the Game Control Department was quoted as reading in part, “Kabungo had a cardiac arrest when walking towards the team dressing rooms and collapsed on the floor.
“Both team doctors and other medical personnel administered CPR on him but after a while he was taken to hospital and that’s when the terrible news was confirmed.”
The deceased, a former Mufulira Wanderers goalkeeper, also once served as Chongwe and Siavonga District Chief Health Medical Officer.
At UNZA his mates fondly called him, “Walter Zenga” after the Italian great goalie.
READ ALSO: 2022 World Cup Finals Draw Top Seeds Confirmed [Full List]
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals billed for Qatar after the Super Eagles could only draw 1-1 with the Black Stars of Ghana on Tuesday.
The draw in this home leg of the qualifying competition’s playoff round came short of helping Nigeria’s pursuit of a seventh mundial appearance.
Both sides had drawn goalless on Friday in the opening leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The Super Eagles had then needed an outright win at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
PUNCH
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Sports
Super Eagles Stars, Calvin Bassey And Alex Iwobi Caught On Camera Shopping Together In London
Published
1 day agoon
May 1, 2024By
EditorSuper Eagles stars, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi were spotted shopping together at a store in London.
The Nigerian internationals play for Fulham FC in the Premier League.
Sports
10 Facts About New Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George
Published
3 days agoon
April 29, 2024By
EditorThe Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced the appointment of former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
The announcement came in a statement, with the NFF Board approving the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward.
The new Super Eagles boss’s immediate task will be to guide the team to victory in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, within the next five weeks.
However, takes a look at 10 things about Finidi George as compiled by The PUNCH.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Finidi George Appointed New Super Eagles Head Coach
1. Finidi George was born on April 15, 1971, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
2. He played as a right winger and was known for his pace, accurate crosses, efficient dribbling, and free-kick abilities. He played for three clubs in Nigeria including Calabar Rovers and Sharks of Port Harcourt.
3. George had a successful club career with Ajax, winning 8 major titles including the 1995 Champions League.
4. He also played for Real Betis in Spain, nearly joining Real Madrid before that move fell through.
5. George spent one season with Mallorca and then joined Ipswich Town in the Premier League for £3.1 million in 2002.
READ ALSO: Finidi, Odigie, Two Others For NPFL Manager Of The Month Award
6. He made his international debut for Nigeria in 1991 and earned 62 caps, appearing at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
7. George won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria and helped them reach the round of 16 at the 1994 World Cup.
8. At the 1994 World Cup, he scored against Greece and celebrated with a famous ‘urinating dog’ celebration.
9. He has 11 brothers, two of whom (Igeniwari and Celestine) were also professional footballers.
10. In September 2021, George was appointed head coach of Nigerian club Enyimba F.C. and won the Nigeria Premier League with them in June 2023.
Sports
JUST IN: Finidi George Appointed New Super Eagles Head Coach
Published
4 days agoon
April 29, 2024By
EditorThe Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former Super Eagles winger Finidi George as the new head coach of the nation’s senior men’s national team.
The announcement came in a statement on Monday, with the NFF Board approving the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the reins to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward.
Finidi George, who spent 20 months as an assistant to the outgoing José Santos Peseiro, had been serving as the interim coach after the Portuguese tactician’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
READ ALSO: Delta Police Kill Suspected Kidnapper, Rescue Victims, Arrest Armed Robber Cultist
During his interim tenure, George oversaw two friendly matches in Morocco last month, where the team ended an 18-year winless streak against Ghana with a 2-1 victory before suffering a 0-2 loss to Mali.
“George, a member of the so-styled ‘Golden Generation’ that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia and emerged as the second most entertaining team in Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup finals in USA the same year, won 62 caps for Nigeria, including featuring at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals,” the NFF statement read.
Reflecting on his illustrious playing career, the statement highlighted George’s achievements, which include “gold, silver and bronze medals from the 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2002 AFCON tournaments.”
One of George’s most memorable moments came when he “assisted Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994,” the statement noted.
The new Super Eagles boss’s immediate task will be to guide the team to victory in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, within the next five weeks.
The NFF statement emphasised that “the matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles lagging behind in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.”
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