NPFL: Katsina United Dismiss Claims Chinedu Ozor Regained Consciousness After Death

Katsina United have dismissed reports claiming that their player, Chinedu Ozor, regained consciousness after being declared dead and taken to a mortuary.

Ozor, who recently joined the Katsina-based Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) club, collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.

Following the medical emergency, the player was rushed for treatment but was later declared dead. Katsina United subsequently announced his passing and expressed their condolences to his family, teammates and the wider football community.

However, reports circulated on Tuesday evening from some grassroots media outlets claiming that Ozor had shown signs of movement while at the mortuary. The reports further suggested that he had been taken back to hospital and placed on oxygen as medical personnel attempted to revive him.

Katsina United have now firmly rejected those claims, urging the public and media outlets to disregard the reports.

In a statement issued by the club's media team, Katsina United said:

“Chinedu Ozor passed away following the incident. Claims suggesting that he later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life’ are inaccurate and should be dismissed.

“In the wake of his death announcement, his family, understandably in shock and holding onto hope, requested further medical verification before his body was taken to the morgue. This should not be misconstrued as an indication of him being alive or regaining consciousness.

“We implore the public, particularly media outlets and bloggers, to cease the dissemination of this false report and allow the family, teammates, and the football community to mourn Chinedu Ozor with the respect he deserves. May his soul rest in peace.”