AFCON: Father Of Two Dies In Ogun Over Nigeria Vs South Africa Clash
BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – Tragedy struck in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday as a 43-year-old man, Mikail Osundiji, died while watching the semi-final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Reports indicated that Osundiji went into shock and died suddenly while watching the football encounter at a popular public Football Viewing Centre (FVC) in Olomoore area of Abeokuta.
It was gathered that the father of two slumped and gave up the ghost when the referee cancelled Nigeria’s second goal against South Africa, by Victor Osimhen and instead awarded a penalty to the Bafana Bafana
Family members of the deceased said he did not show any sign of sickness prior to his sudden demise during the tension-soaked match.
Speaking on the unfortunate incident, the deceased’s elder sister, Mrs Adetunji Nofisat, said her brother suddenly let out heavy breathe and sigh after the referee cancelled Nigeria’s second goal by Osimhen.
She further explained that in the process, the late Osundiji lowered his head and consequently fell to the floor at the Viewing Centre.
Still in shock over her brother’s sudden death, Mrs Adetunji said; “That was when other people at the football viewing centre rushed and took him to one of the private hospitals in Olomoore before the doctor on duty pronounced him dead”.
Nofisat, who disclosed that the remains of the deceased were committed to mother earth on Thursday afternoon according to the Islamic rites, said; “We cannot take his corpse home to Okuku in Osun State because he still has a father, mother and two children who are 12 and seven years of age”.
She however appealed to the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun to come to the family’s aid, particularly in terms of scholarships to the children left behind by the deceased to enable them complete their education, up to the university level.
Meanwhile, Osundiji’s passage has added to the number of tragedies recorded following the Super Eagles versus Bafana Bàfana semi-final encounter that ended in favour of Nigeria.
The list of casualties so far include All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain and former Executive Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete; Alhaji Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi; and a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Adamawa State.
They were all reported dead in similar circumstances due to anxiety and the tension generated by match in which Nigeria eventually triumphed 4 – 2 penalties with Keeper Stanley Nwabali, who won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match, as the hero on the day.
