Chinedu Ozor, a 30-year-old defender for Katsina United, has been declared dead by his club after he collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes in Katsina on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, where a doctor reportedly pronounced Ozor dead. Reports later claimed that after his body was transferred to Katsina General Hospital, medical personnel noticed movement and raised the alarm, sparking hope that he had survived.
Club Denies Reports of Player's Return to Life
Katsina United has debunked reports that Ozor regained consciousness after he was pronounced dead and taken to a mortuary. In a statement, the club clarified that Ozor did not regain consciousness and that efforts to save his life were unsuccessful.
The clarification followed widespread public attention after reports of his alleged return to life circulated online, prompting the club to issue its statement and urge the public to rely on verified information.
Family's Hope Should Not Be Mistaken for Evidence of Survival
The club further explained that Ozor's family, overwhelmed by the sudden incident, asked for additional medical confirmation in the hope that he was still alive. "That moment of hope must not be turned into a story that Chinedu survived," the club stated.
Katsina United stressed that the family's hope should not be mistaken for evidence that the player survived, and that the misinformation had added to the pain of his family, teammates, and friends.
Club Appeals for Compassion, Not Speculation
The club has appealed to the public to stop spreading unverified reports about Ozor's death, noting that the misinformation had added to the pain of his family, teammates, and friends. "At this moment, what his family needs is compassion, not speculation," the club stated.
Katsina United's pre-season preparations have been cast into shadow by Ozor's death, with the club and his teammates now mourning the defender.
Source: Pulse.ng
