NFF Speaks for the First Time Following Death of CAF Official After Nigeria vs Ghana Game

• NFF has debunked rumours that Doctor Joseph Kabungo of Zambia died after fans attacked him at the Moshood Abiola Stadium
• Nigeria failed to secure passage to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and irate fans vandalised the stadium, fuelling rumours that the CAF official was attacked
• According to the NFF, the Doping Control Officer suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at the hospital

The Nigeria Football Federation has denied reports making rounds that irate fans attacked a CAF official after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup, Soccernet reports.

Doctor Joseph Kabungo of Zambia was said to have passed away shortly after the FIFA World Cup play-off match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Nigeria’s dreams of participating at the World Cup were shattered and irate fans stormed the pitch to vandalise properties, fuelling rumours that the Doping Control Officer for the match was attacked.

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However, Doctor Onimisi Ozi Salami who was the match’s Medical Officer disclosed that the Zambian official died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest on his way to the Ghanaian dressing room.

The medical practitioner noted that the incident was witnessed by FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda.

Salami told nff.com:

“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.

“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.”

Sunday Dare condemns valdalisation of Abuja Stadium

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Sports Minister Sunday Dare has condemned the vandalisation of the Abuja Stadium following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

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The Nigerian national team were forced to a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola Stadium which was enough to see the Black Stars through to the Mundial after the first leg earlier ended 0-0 in Kumasi.

Sunday Dare stated that in sports, nothing is 100 per cent certain and that the Federal Government gave every support for the Super Eagles to qualify.

Ghana flag hoisted in Qatar

Sports Brief earlier reported that Ghana's flag has finally been hoisted in Qatar ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the Asian country later this year.

In a short ceremony in Doha, Dr Emmanuel Enos, Ghana's Ambassador to Qatar raised the flag of Ghana aloft, indicating the West African country's qualification.

The flag-raising activity ceremony is done for countries that have qualified for the tournament slated for November 2022.