The Akinuwa of Agbor Kingdom, Chief (Dr) Cairo Ojougboh and a serving member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), simply identified as Samuel, on Wednesday, slumped and died while watching Nigeria’s Super Eagles clash with South Africa in a penalty shootout.

Sources submitted that Ojougboh gave up the ghost as soon as a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria, during the match.

 

Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong had scored a penalty at the 67th minute for Nigeria, before the Nelson Mandela’s kinsmen were awarded a spot-kick.

 

The game, however, ended with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory in favour of Nigeria, sending the Super Eagles to the final of the tournament.

 

Cairo Ojougboh was a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, having represented Ika Federal Constituency.

 

In the case of Samuel, the NYSC member serving in Adamawa died before the last shootout that progressed Nigeria to the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

 

According to a post made on Facebook by an eye-witness, Samuel died during celebration of Nigeria’s shootout in the semi final match.

 

“We lost one Nigerian a few minutes ago during our victory celebration over South Africa today at our Sport Viewing Center (SVC) here in Numan.

 

“The corp member who is serving in numan from Kaduna has fainted before the kick-off of the winning goal.

 

“He died before they could reach hospital in Numan, may his soul rest in peace,” he said.

 

Confirming the incident, the NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa state, Mr. Jingi Dennis, in a telephone conversation, said “l have received the news of his death last night, I hope to have more details today.

 

“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corp member told them that he doesn’t like watching penalty shootout, he then bowed his head and all of a sudden he collapsed.”

 

“He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the Doctor,” the coordinator said.