Katsina United defender Chinedu Ozor has been confirmed dead after collapsing during a pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes in Katsina.
The club, in a statement issued by its Media Directorate on Wednesday, dismissed reports that the 30-year-old footballer regained consciousness after he was pronounced dead and taken to a mortuary.
Ozor collapsed during Tuesday’s match at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where a doctor reportedly pronounced him dead.
Reports later claimed that medical personnel at Katsina General Hospital noticed movement after his body was transferred there, leading to his admission to the intensive care unit and placement on oxygen.
However, Katsina United said the reports were false, stressing that Ozor never regained consciousness despite efforts to save his life.
The club explained that Ozor’s family had requested further medical confirmation before his body was taken to the mortuary, as they struggled to accept his sudden death.
“We have seen reports claiming that Chinedu later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life.’ We understand that people desperately wanted this to be true. We all did. But sadly, those reports are not true,” the club said.
Katsina United appealed to the public to stop spreading unverified reports, saying the rumours had added to the pain of Ozor’s family, teammates and friends.
The club said Ozor’s teammates and officials are now mourning the defender and urged the public to allow him to “rest” with dignity.
