Confederation of Africa Football’s doping doctor, Dr Joseph Kabungo has reportedly died in Abuja.
The Zambian medical personnel was said to have slumped yesterday when Ghana denied Nigeria the chance to participate in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It was, however, unclear what the real cause of Kabungo’s death is at the moment.
There are reports that the doctor had died as a result of the stampede that occurred at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja after the match between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars ended.
Naija News reports that Nigeria hosted Ghana yesterday to battle aggregates for a ticket to the 2022 World Cup.
The Super Eagles, however, lost against the Black Stars of Ghana after settling for a 1-1 draw.
The goal draw was a great disadvantage to the hosts as FIFA rules consider away goals for qualification into the competition in a case as such.
However, on the death of Kabungo, reports in some quarters blamed fans’ invasion of the MKO Abiola Stadium 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.
As at the moment, neither officials of the Nigeria Football Federation nor CAF has confirmed the doctor’s death.
It was learnt that Kabungo’s family, the Zambia FA and the Government of Zambia had been informed of the sad development.
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 is 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 throd on him. He lost consciousness was rushed to an ambulance closer to Ghana dressing for CPR. The entire Ghanaian contingent watched on as resuscitation attempts were made with an oxygen masks. He was taken to hospital later and now this. Sad.”
See tweets below:
