No fewer than four persons died, Wednesday night while watching the semi-final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafana Bafana of South Africa, in the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cote D’Ivoire.
They include a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; Deputy Bursar, Kwara State University, Malete, Ayuba Abdullahi, and a corps member serving in Adamawa State, simply identified as Samuel.
Anambra-born businessman, Osondu Nwoye, based in Cote d’Ivoire, was also reported to have collapsed inside the stadium, while watching the match and died later in hospital.
But experts said excitement could cause sudden death if there was an underlying health condition.
Recall that the Super Eagles won the match 4—2, in a penalty shoot-out.
It was learned that Ojougboh, an erstwhile member representing the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives and former Executive Director, of Projects, on the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, reportedly slumed in his house in Abuja, while watching the match.
Sources said the outspoken politician slumped, when a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria during the match, which gave the South Africans an equaliser, as Nigeria had earlier taken the lead in the match.
He was said to have suffered a heart attack and was confirmed dead at a hospital he was rushed to.
Kwara varsity deputy bursar dies watching Super Eagles AFCON semi-finals.
Similarly, the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, also died while watching the match.