An Anambra State-born businessman, Osondu Nwoye, has died while watching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Cote d’Ivoire.
It was gathered that the businessman, a resident of Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire, slumped and died during the penalty shootouts of the match on Wednesday evening.
Tension escalated among football lovers when the Egyptian referee awarded a penalty to South Africa immediately after acknowledging Nigeria’s second goal scored by striker Victor Osimhen which was later cancelled by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
It was learnt that the Anambra-born businessman, who celebrated in the stadium when the goal was scored, collapsed when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria and the second goal which would have sealed the Super Eagles’ victory was canceled.
It was gathered that efforts made to revive him were not successful as he died on his way to the hospital.
Confirming Nwoye’s death, popular businessman, Obi Cubana, in a post on his Instagram account on Thursday, February 8, 2024, described the deceased as an amazing personality.
“Yesterday’s match has taken some very important people.. why??? Nwachinemelu!!! Amazing human! Hosted us massively just last Sunday,” he wrote.
Others who died watching the match were a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr Cairo Ojougboh; the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University (KWASU), Ayuba Abdullahi; a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Adamawa State, identified simply as Samuel; and a 43-year-old man, Mikail Osundiji, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.