Zambian doctor not beaten to death in Abuja – NFF

The country's top football body has come out to deny earlier reports that angry fans attacked the CAF official on Tuesday

The Nigeria Football Federation has revealed the cause of death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died after the FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The Super Eagles drew 1-1 with the Black Stars, ending their dreams of participating in Qatar 2022.

Angry Nigerian supporters invaded the pitch moments after the encounter, fueling speculations that Dr Kabungo, the Doping Control Officer for the match, had been attacked.

But Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami, who was the game's Medical Officer, has debunked that rumour as fake news.

According to Dr Salami, Dr Kabungo, a Zambian, suffered a cardiac arrest on his way to the Ghanaian dressing room and was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead. The medical practitioner noted that the incident was witnessed by FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda.

“We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost,” Dr Salami told nff.com.

“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.”

NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi has since commiserated with world football body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia, and the family of Dr Kabungo.