The Katsina United Football Club has been thrown into confusion after its defender, Ozor Chinedu, was reportedly pronounced dead following a collapse during a pre-season game, only for signs of life to be detected while he was at a mortuary.
Chinedu, an 18-year-old defender recently recruited from Kano Pillars, reportedly collapsed during Katsina United’s encounter with Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium on Tuesday.
The incident occurred during the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup, after which the player was rushed to K-Dara Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
He was subsequently said to have been pronounced dead by doctors, leading Katsina United to release a condolence message announcing his death.
The purported death also attracted reactions from former club Kano Pillars and Heartland FC, among others, with tributes posted on social media.
However, the situation changed dramatically after mortuary workers at Katsina General Hospital reportedly noticed that the player was showing signs of movement.
Chinedu was then transferred from the mortuary to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where he was placed on oxygen and commenced treatment.
Confirming the development, Katsina United media officer, Nasir Gide, said the player had been declared dead on two occasions before he was found to have signs of life.
Heartland FC also confirmed the latest development and called on supporters and football fans to pray for the young defender.
As of Wednesday morning, Chinedu was reportedly in critical condition at Katsina General Hospital, while further medical assessment was awaited to determine his condition.