ABUJA, Nigeria
Confusion 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.
British-Nigerian journalist, Osasu
Obayiuwana, tweeted that the doctor’s death was confirmed after he was rushed
to the hospital.
Neither officials of the
Nigeria Football Federation nor CAF have confirmed the doctor’s death.Ghanaian players rushed into the tunnel to dodge objects thrown at them by Nigerian fans.
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 Atta 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.”
A reliable CAF source says the
governing body approved about 39,000 fans for the Nigeria vs Ghana in the 60,000-seater
stadium in Abuja but he believes the stadium had about 80,000 fans.
Ghanaian players rushed into
the tunnel to dodge objects thrown at them by Nigerian fans.
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.
The PUNCH had reported that 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.
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