Katsina United have offered clarification following conflicting reports surrounding the death of their player, Chinedu Ozor, who collapsed during a pre-season fixture in Katsina on Tuesday.
Ozor reportedly became unconscious during Katsina United’s encounter with Niger Tornadoes at the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup and was taken to a nearby hospital. A doctor was said to have pronounced him dead.
The club later announced his death, but uncertainty emerged after his former side, Heartland FC, reported that medical personnel had observed movement in his body after he was taken to the morgue. The player was subsequently returned to the intensive care unit at Katsina General Hospital.
Katsina United media officer, Nasir Gide, confirmed that the player had initially been taken to the morgue before being transferred back to the ICU after medical workers noticed movement.
“When we rushed him to a nearby hospital, he was confirmed dead by a doctor. We collected a 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,” Gide said on Tuesday.
“Later, the medical personnel informed us that he had been taken back to the ICU from the morgue when they noticed movements in his body.”
The club later released a fresh statement on Wednesday to correct reports suggesting that Ozor had regained consciousness.
“With broken hearts, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragic passing of our player, Chinedu Ozor, who collapsed during a friendly match against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina. Despite the efforts that followed, Chinedu sadly passed away,” the club stated.
“We have seen reports claiming that Chinedu later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life.’ We understand that people desperately wanted this to be true. We all did. But sadly, those reports are not true.
“In the heartbreaking moments after the incident, Chinedu’s family, overwhelmed by shock and refusing to give up hope, asked for further medical confirmation before his body was taken to the morgue. They were a family desperately hoping that somehow, against all odds, their loved one was still with them.
“We know how difficult this is to accept. We know many people are still trying to process what happened. His teammates are grieving. His friends are grieving. The club is grieving. And somewhere, a family is facing a pain that words cannot begin to describe.”
Heartland FC later mourned Ozor in a separate message.
“Chinedu Ozor: You fought the good fight. You tried your best and strove to make the most of what we thought was a second chance you were given, but sadly, you could not make it.
“You fought the good fight of faith and have gone to your rest, though far too soon.”
Barau FC, another participant in the pre-season tournament, has meanwhile maintained its decision to withdraw from the competition. The club cited concerns over the organisation of the tournament and questioned the decision to continue after the incident.
The development has once again brought attention to the standard of medical arrangements at football venues across Nigeria.
Ozor’s death came a year after Shooting Stars assistant coach Akin Olowokere died after collapsing during training on August 11, 2025.
The country also witnessed the death of Nasarawa United defender Chineme Martins in March 2020 after he collapsed during a league match against Katsina United.
Following Martins’ death, the Nigeria Football Federation directed that league games must not hold at venues without appropriate medical equipment and personnel. Match commissioners and host football bodies were also instructed to inspect and test medical facilities before matches were approved.
