NIGERIA premier league and Katsina United player, Chinedu Ozor, was reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Katsina General Hospital after he was initially pronounced dead, following a collapse during a pre-season match on Tuesday, August 11.
Ozor was said to have slumped during Katsina United’s match against Niger Tornadoes at the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup in Katsina and was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
However, after the club took his body to Katsina General Hospital, medical personnel there reportedly noticed movement and he was subsequently taken back to the ICU.
This development was confirmed by the media officer of Katsina United, Nasir Gide, who said: “When we rushed him to a nearby hospital, he was confirmed dead by a doctor.
“We collected 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.
“Later, the medical personnel informed us that he has been taken back to the ICU from the morgue when they noticed movement in his body.”
The club had earlier announced Ozor’s death, prompting condolence messages from his former club, Kano Pillars, and other clubs.
Heartland of Owerri later reported the development on X, saying Ozor had been moved from the mortuary to hospital after showing signs of movement.
It stated: “Reliable sources say Chinedu Ozor has been moved from the mortuary to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement.
“He is currently on oxygen as medics work to revive him.
“Ozor, we believe in the God of a second chance. May God restore!”
A Niger Tornadoes player, who featured against Ozor in Tuesday’s match, also expressed hope that the player would pull through, saying: “It was heartbreaking.
“We are hoping for a miracle,” he The Punch via WhatsApp.
Meanwhile, one of the clubs participating in the tournament, Barau FC, has withdrawn from the competition, accusing the organisers of allowing the tournament to continue despite the incident.
