Katsina United Football Club has officially confirmed the death of its player, Chinedu Ozor, following a period of uncertainty after initial reports suggested he had shown signs of life. The club’s Media Officer, Nasir Gide, confirmed the development in an interview on Wednesday.
The incident occurred during a pre-season match between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes in Katsina. Ozor collapsed approximately nine minutes into the game, which took place on Tuesday morning. He was subsequently taken to K-Dara Specialist Hospital, Gidan Dawa, where medical personnel pronounced him dead. His death was later re-confirmed at Katsina General Hospital.
Initial Reports of Movement
A dramatic turn of events unfolded as Ozor’s body was being transported to the mortuary. According to Gide, the player’s roommate reportedly observed movement in one of Ozor’s hands. This observation led to his immediate return to Katsina General Hospital.
Following this, Ozor was placed on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 24 hours, a decision made at the request of his family. The family had asked that the body not be deposited in the mortuary until they could arrive to personally verify the situation after hearing about the reported movement.
Grassroots sports writer Emmanuel Owi Adoyi also provided insights into the situation. He stated that Ozor had collapsed during a friendly match between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Adoyi mentioned that Ozor had jogged to the stadium from the team’s camp to improve his fitness after recovering from an injury. The friendly match involved players who had not participated in the ongoing Allianz Tournament in Katsina.
Medical personnel at the stadium attended to Ozor before he was rushed to a private hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His family then requested he be moved to another hospital for further examination. At a general hospital, another cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was reportedly performed, and he was again confirmed dead.
Despite these confirmations, a close friend of the footballer reportedly insisted that Ozor was still alive and urged his family not to allow him to be taken to the mortuary. This led to his return to the hospital and placement in the ICU, where he reportedly remained on oxygen. Adoyi noted that Ozor used two oxygen cylinders between Tuesday and Wednesday as his family held onto hope for his revival.
However, medical personnel treating Ozor maintained that he had died, citing independent confirmations from two hospitals. Adoyi appealed for caution in reporting sensitive developments concerning Ozor, clarifying that earlier reports of him “waking up” in the mortuary were based on an interpretation of events rather than a confirmed medical declaration of consciousness.
Club and Community Response
Before the reports of movement emerged, the Katsina State Government had issued a condolence message. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, through his Chief Press Secretary Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, described the incident as a devastating loss for Katsina United, the football community, and Katsina State. The governor expressed that the sudden death of a young footballer with a promising career was deeply shocking and heartbreaking.
Condolences were extended to Ozor’s family, Katsina United FC, his teammates, coaches, management, supporters, his former club Kano Pillars FC, and the wider Nigerian football community. Katsina United had also issued a statement mourning the tragic passing of their newly signed player, expressing thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.
Rivers United also joined in mourning the player, stating he reportedly died on Tuesday morning after being rushed to the hospital. Ozor had recently joined Katsina United as the club prepared for the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season. He had previously played for clubs including Heartland FC and Kano Pillars, having moved from Heartland to Kano Pillars in July 2025 before joining Katsina United. The club announced that its management would hold a press conference on Wednesday to provide further details regarding the incident.
The situation has raised renewed concerns about medical welfare and emergency response systems for professional footballers in Nigeria. Heartland FC, one of Ozor’s former clubs, had also shared an update stating he had been moved from the mortuary back to the hospital and was receiving oxygen while medical personnel worked to revive him. This development had sparked hope among football fans and Nigerians, with many praying for his recovery.
Despite emergency efforts by medical personnel and the period of observation in the ICU, Katsina United has now confirmed that the footballer has died. The club’s Media Officer, Nasir Gide, indicated that a press conference would be held later on Wednesday to offer more information on the tragic event.
Source: channelstv.com
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