By John Essien
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has denied the viral claim that CAF Doping Control Officer, Joseph Kabungo died of stampede after the World Cup play-off between Nigeria and Ghana in Abuja.
Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner, was reported to have been unconscious after being beaten by irate fans who invaded the pitch destroying everything in sight after the Super Eagles failure to secure passage to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Contrary to widespread reports, the NFF in a fresh insight, revealed that the Confederation of Africa Football’s medical officer was not killed in the stampede.
According to a statement issued by the NFF, the deceased was found near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team.
“Information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as Medical Officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team,” General Secretary Mohamed Sanusi was quoted in the statement.
“I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital.
“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,” the statement added.
