March 30, (THEWILL) – The cause of death of the FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died following the FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, has been confirmed as cardiac arrest by the Nigeria Football Federation.
THEWILL recalls that the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by the Black Stars, putting an end to Nigeria’s hopes of competing in Qatar 2022.
Angry Nigerian fans stormed the ground shortly after the match, sparking speculation that Dr Kabungo, the match’s Doping Control Officer, had been attacked in the process.
However, the game’s Medical Officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami, has rejected such accounts of events as false information.
Kabungo, a Zambian, suffered a cardiac arrest on his way to the Ghanaian dressing room, according to Salami, and was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident was witnessed by FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda, according to Salami.
“We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost,” Salami told the NFF website.
“It is a very sad incident, and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest.”
Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary, has since expressed his condolences to FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (, the Football Association of Zambia, and Kabungo’s family.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
