Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF Confirms Death Of CAF/FIFA Doctor, Joseph Kabungo, Reveals How He Died
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the death of a FIFA/CAF Doping Control Officer, Dr. Joseph Kabungo who was part of the officials on ground for the world cup play off between Nigeria and Ghana at the Abuja stadium on Tuesday.
Naija News had earlier reported the demise of the medical officer.
The NFF in a statement on Wednesday confirmed the death of Dr. Kabungo but denied trending reports that he was attacked by fans at the stadium.
The NFF statement signed by its General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi in which he expressed shock and condolences revealed that Kabungo died from heart attack.
Sanusi stated that the situation was brought to his attention by the game’s medical officer, Onimisi Salami after Kbungo was found gasping for breath close to the Ghanian dressing room.
The order was given for him to be rushed to the hospital after emergency first aid could not suffice but unfortunately, he died on the way.
“We are terribly shocked at this sad development.
“The NFF commiserates with world football governing–body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing.
“His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock,” Sanusi said.
Explaining details of how the match’s Doping Control Officer died, the NFF scribe added: “It is important to state the facts as they are.
“According to the information from our own Medical Officer, Onimisi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as the game’s Medical Officer, Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team.
“I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. But he didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital.”
Salami went on to state that the incident happened when Kabungo was looking to get a player for the doping exercise as required.
“It was at this same time that Kabungo was looking to get the Ghanaian player for the same exercise.
“But as I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team, the General Coordinator, Kabore Bosilong from South Africa, called my attention.
“Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath. The match’s FIFA Security Officer, Dixon Okello from Uganda, also witnessed the incident.
“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.
“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.”
Naija News understands some NFF officials, the medical team and officials of the High Commission of Zambia held a meeting on Wednesday morning regarding the next line of action following Kabungo’s death.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
