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Tragedy as CAF doctor dies in aftermath of Abuja stadium melee

A CONFEDERATION of African Football doctor has reportedly lost his life following the pitch invasion that occured after Nigeria got eliminated from the Qatar 2022 World Cup race.

Angry fans broke through the barricades of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday night, causing mayhem moments after the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Ghana in the second leg of their playoffs tie.

With the first leg having finished 0-0 in Kumasi, the Ghanaians advanced on the away goals rule.

Immediately the finally whistle sounded and Nigeria’s elimination was confirmed, hundreds of irate fans took to the pitch, charged at the players, team officials and journalists while also destroying property.

Initial reports from Abuja claimed nobody was seriously hurt, but news emerged in the early hours of Wednesday that Zambian Joseph Kabungo, who was CAF’s Doping Officer for the match, had been killed.

Kabungo, according to eye witnesses, lost consciousness after he was trod on repeatedly by the rampaging fans in the stampede.

The doctor was rushed to the hospital after receiving emergency treatment at the stadium. He was declared dead afterwards.

His family, the Zambia Football Association and the government of Zambia have been informed of Kabungo’s unfortunate death.

Kabungo was a former goalkeeper who also worked with the Zambia national team as team doctor.

The ugly scenes after Tuesday’s match are an indictment of Nigeria’s ability to properly organise big events.

The 60,000-capacity Moshood Abiola National Stadium was overfilled as 20,000 tickets were given out for free, and the security men and women were overwhelmed by the irate mob.

FIFA and CAF are now almost certain to sanction Nigeria for the failure to provide adequate security, and a stadium ban could be imposed.

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Naija Times