The social media is agog with a rash of warnings after a string of fatal tragedies followed Nigeria’s qualification for the African Cup of Nations final(AFCON). Nigeria beat South Africa in the semi-final on Wednesday, but four deaths were reported with heart failures querried.
Curiously, the deaths centred around penalties.
Those listed to have died following Nigeria’s ouster of South Africa in the semi-final are:
▪︎ Chief Cairo Ojougboh, APC Chieftain in his Abuja home.
▪︎ Chief Osondu Nwoye, Anambra-born billionaire in Cote d’Ivoire.
▪︎ NYSC member, Samuel, serving in Adamawa.
▪︎Deputy Bursar, Kwara State University – Alh. Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi.
A viral social media post added: “May God Almighty comfort their loved ones.
“Please let’s do routine checks on our health status before watching crucial national sport events. I beg us ….”
Another featuring a gong went with straightforward message.
“
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!! It’s two (2) days to the final football match between Nigeria and Cote Di’ voire. Be warned all Nigerians to check your health status before watching the match or alternatively stay away from watching and wait for the final scores. Particularly for those with high blood pressure and other heart diseases that could lead to cardiac arrest. Thanks for adherence.”
About the same time a 14-minute video was posted to explain the reason for heart failures and remedies to deal with diseases before they become fatal. Below is the video:
Meanwhkle, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be in Abidjan to lend support to the Super Eagles against Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, made the disclosure, Friday while speaking at a press conference after meeting with CAF Member Associations’ Presidents ahead of the AFCON final.
There are other reports no less than 22 state governors and other top public functionaries plan to be there. This informationhas not been independently verified.
But Motsepe responding to a question on when Africa would host the FIFA World Cup again after South Africa did for the first time in 2010, said, “Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it.” he said.