Katsina United player Chinedu Ozor is receiving intensive care at Katsina General Hospital after reportedly being pronounced dead following his collapse during a pre-season match on Tuesday.
Ozor reportedly collapsed while playing for Katsina United against Niger Tornadoes at the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup in Katsina.
He was initially taken to a nearby hospital, where a doctor reportedly pronounced him dead. His body was subsequently transferred to Katsina General Hospital, where medical personnel reportedly noticed signs of movement after it had been taken to the morgue.
Katsina United media officer, Nasir Gide, confirmed the development, saying Ozor had subsequently been moved to the intensive care unit.
“When we rushed him to a nearby hospital, he was confirmed dead by a doctor. We collected 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.
“Later, the medical personnel informed us that he has been taken back to the ICU from the morgue when they noticed movement in his body.”
Katsina United had earlier announced Ozor’s death, prompting condolence messages from former club Kano Pillars and other football clubs.
Heartland, another of Ozor’s former clubs, later said on X that he had been moved from the mortuary back to hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement.
“Reliable sources say Chinedu Ozor has been moved from the mortuary to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement. He is currently on oxygen as medics work to revive him,” the club said.
A Niger Tornadoes player who featured against Ozor during Tuesday’s match said the incident had been distressing.
“It was heartbreaking. We are hoping for a miracle,” he said.
Barau FC withdraws from tournament
Meanwhile, Barau FC has withdrawn from the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup, criticising organisers for allowing the tournament to continue after the incident.
The development has renewed concerns about the adequacy of emergency medical arrangements at football venues in Nigeria.
It comes exactly a year after Shooting Stars assistant coach Akin Olowokere collapsed and died during a training session on 11 August 2025.
Olowokere, a former Sunshine Stars player and coach, was taken to hospital after collapsing on the pitch but was pronounced dead.
A similar incident involving a professional league player occurred in March 2020, when 23-year-old Nasarawa United defender Chineme Martins collapsed during a league match against Katsina United and died.
Following Martins’ death, the Nigeria Football Federation directed that league venues must have the necessary medical equipment and personnel before matches could be played.
Match commissioners and host football associations were also instructed to inspect and test medical facilities before fixtures.
