During the semifinal match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Bouaké, no fewer than five Nigerians reportedly died while watching the match on Wednesday.
Those who died included a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Cairo Ojougboh; the Kwara State University Deputy Bursar, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi; a sales reprsentatives, Mikhail Osundiji; a serving National Youth Service Corps member, identified simply as Samuel and an Anambra-born businessman based in Cote d’Ivoire, Osondu Nwoye,
The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with both goals coming from penalties at regular time. Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, converted his 67-minute kick and Teboho Mokoena equalised from a 90th-minute spot-kick for the South Africans.
The Mokoena equaliser came just after the Super Eagles thought they had scored another goal through a tap-in from Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, which was upturned after the referee checked the Video Assistant Referee for an infringement in the Nigerian penalty box in the build-up to the goal.
The dramatic twist in the tension-soaked match was said to have led to the death of the former member of the House of Representatives representing the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Ojougboh, who reportedly screamed and subsequently slumped as soon as the South Africans scored the equalising penalty kick.
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, confirmed Ojougboh’s death in a condolence statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Festus Ahon, on Thursday.
Ahon said the governor commiserated with Ojougboh’s family, the Ika nation, Agbor Kingdom, and the APC family over the demise of the renowned politician.
The governor said, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of an astute and grassroots-oriented politician, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on on Wednesday.
“The news of his death was shocking, given his invaluable contributions to the politics of the state and the country at large. Until his death, he was a renowned chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, in the state.”
The President General of the Agbor Community Union, Chief Laurence Onyeche, said Ojougboh’s death had created a big vacuum in the Agbor kingdom.
In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the Union, Mr. Augustine Ekamagule, the PG described Ojougboh as a fearless politician.
“On behalf of the PG and members of Agbor Community Union, where the Ojougboh belong, we sympathize with the family.
“According to our President General of the Agbor Community Union, Chief Laurence Onyeche, Ojougboh died in Abuja while watching the Nigeria vs. South Africa match.
“He said an Ojougboh family member called him around 3 a.m on Thursday, informing him that Cairo Ojougboh had passed away.
“The family said Ojougboh was watching the match, and immediately South Africa scored the goal, he shouted and slumped.
“All efforts to revive him were not fruitful. It was around 3 a.m. when the family announced his death. Rest in peace, great and fearless politicians of our time,” he said.
