Katsina United Confirm Ozor Dead, Dispel ‘Wake Up’ Rumour
Katsina United have officially confirmed the death of their newly signed defender, Chinedu Ozor, while dismissing reports that the player regained consciousness after being pronounced dead.
Ozor collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina, on Tuesday. Despite efforts to save his life, the player sadly passed away.
The development initially triggered confusion after reports emerged that Ozor had allegedly shown signs of movement after being taken to the mortuary and was subsequently rushed to hospital.
However, Katsina United, through its Media Directorate, has now firmly rejected the reports, describing them as false.
“We have seen reports claiming that Chinedu later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life.’
We understand that people desperately wanted this to be true. We all did. But sadly, those reports are not true,” the club stated.
According to the club, Ozor’s family, overwhelmed by shock and refusing to give up hope, requested further medical confirmation before his body was taken to the morgue.
Katsina United stressed that the family’s request for further confirmation should not be interpreted as evidence that the player survived.
“That moment of hope must not be turned into a story that Chinedu survived.
“He did not regain consciousness. He passed away,” the club declared.
The club appealed to the public and media organisations to stop circulating rumours and unverified information about the tragedy, noting that such reports only deepen the pain of the grieving family, teammates and friends.
“Behind every post, every headline and every video is a grieving family,” Katsina United said.
The club also called for compassion and dignity as the football community mourns the former Kano Pillars, Heartland and Lobi Stars player, who had only recently joined Katsina United.
“At this moment, what his family needs is compassion, not speculation. What his teammates need is space to grieve. And what Chinedu deserves is to be remembered with dignity,” the release concludes.
