Katsina United has confirmed the death and clarified the circumstances surrounding the medical emergency involving their player, Chinedu Ozor, after he collapsed during a pre-season game in Katsina on Tuesday.
Ozor was reported to have collapsed during Katsina United’s play against Niger Tornadoes at the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup in Katsina and was brought to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The club declared his death via its official communication channels; however, his former club, Heartland of Owerri, later reported that Ozor had been taken from the morgue and placed on oxygen after medical workers discovered movements in his body.
Our correspondent confirmed the development with Katsina United media officer Nasir Gide, who said that the player was transferred back to the intensive care unit at Katsina General Hospital after initially being carried to the morgue.
“When we rushed him to a nearby hospital, he was confirmed dead by a doctor. We collected a police report and took him back to Katsina General Hospital, where he was also said to be dead. They took his body to the morgue there,” Gide said on Tuesday.
“Later, the medical personnel informed us that he had been taken back to the ICU from the morgue when they noticed movements in his body.”
On Wednesday, the club issued another statement, attempting to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and stating that rumors of Ozor regaining consciousness were incorrect.
“With broken hearts, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragic passing of our player, Chinedu Ozor, who collapsed during a friendly match against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina. Despite the efforts that followed, Chinedu sadly passed away,” the club stated.
“We have seen reports claiming that Chinedu later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life.’ We understand that people desperately wanted this to be true. We all did. But sadly, those reports are not true.
“In the heartbreaking moments after the incident, Chinedu’s family, overwhelmed by shock and refusing to give up hope, asked for further medical confirmation before his body was taken to the morgue. They were a family desperately hoping that somehow, against all odds, their loved one was still with them.
“We know how difficult this is to accept. We know many people are still trying to process what happened. His teammates are grieving. His friends are grieving. The club is grieving. And somewhere, a family is facing a pain that words cannot begin to describe.”
Heartland FC also posted a condolence message.
“Chinedu Ozor: You fought the good fight. You tried your best and strove to make the most of what we thought was a second chance you were given, but sadly, you could not make it.
“You fought the good fight of faith and have gone to your rest, though far too soon.”
Meanwhile, one of the tournament’s participating clubs, Barau FC, has confirmed its resignation from the pre-season competition, blaming the organizers of poor organization and allowing the tournament to continue despite the incident.
The incident has renewed concerns about medical preparation at Nigerian sports stadiums.
It occurs exactly one year after Shooting Stars assistant coach Akin Olowokere fell and died during a training session on August 11, 2025. The former Sunshine Stars player and coach was taken to the hospital after fainting on the pitch, but he was pronounced dead.
The most notable recent incident involving an NPFL player occurred in March 2020, when Nasarawa United defender Chineme Martins, 23, died after fainting during a league game versus Katsina United.
Following Martins’ death, the Nigeria Football Federation ordered that no more league matches be played without the necessary medical equipment and personnel at the locations.
Match commissioners and host football organizations were also asked to assess and test medical facilities before approving matches to take place.
