Nigerian Businessman Slumps In Stadium, Dies Over VAR Decision

A Nigerian businessman reportedly died on Wednesday night while watching the Super Eagles of Nigeria AFCON Semi-Final clash against the South African Bafana Bafana at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire.

Chief Osondu Nwoye from Anambra State, in Nigeria’s southeast, collapsed inside the stadium after the Super Eagles’ second goal was cancelled by referees, a Facebook user Chukwudi Iwuchukwu announced, adding that all efforts to rescue the businessman proved abortive, and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The post reads: “By this time yesterday, High Chief Osondu was still alive, hale, and hearty.

“He travelled to Bourke, the city that hosted the Super Eagles match yesterday, to watch his darling Super Eagles play.

“He loves football and is patriotic for his home country. According to eyewitnesses, the High Chief was on top of the moon, shouting on top of voice, when Victor Osimen scored that second goal, which was later cancelled by VAR.

“May be the shock of seeing the goal cancelled and penalty awarded to South Africa was too much to bear for his fragile heart, which failed immediately, which resulted in the High Chief collapsing inside the stadium.

“All the frenetic efforts to revive him failed, as he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. While the whole country was rejoicing yesterday, the people of the Amanuike community in Anambra State, where he came from, were mourning.

“They just lost an illustrious person, the richest man in the community, who was an iroko who provided shelter, shade, and succour to many in that community. During his lifetime, his title name was Nwachinemelu of Amanuike.”

Chief Osondu is the fourth Nigerians reported so far to have died from the shock and tension they felt while watching the football match on Wednesday night.