Chinedu Ozor, the Katsina United defender earlier declared dead after collapsing during a friendly match in Katsina, has been confirmed dead despite reports that he showed signs of movement after being taken to the mortuary.
His death was confirmed by sources familiar with the incident, according to grassroots sports writer Emmanuel Owi Adoyi.
Adoyi said Ozor collapsed during Tuesday’s friendly between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
He said Ozor had left the team’s camp on foot to jog to the stadium as part of his fitness work after recovering from an injury. The teams later agreed to play a friendly involving players who had not featured in the ongoing Allianz Tournament.
“Just five minutes into the match, the ball went to throw-in. Then, they wanted to make that throw-in before Ozo collapsed,” Adoyi said.
Medical personnel attended to Ozor before he was taken to a private hospital, where he was declared dead.
“When they got to that hospital, they did all they could. At the end of the day, they confirmed him dead,” he said.
His family then requested that he be taken to a general hospital for further examination. Another CPR was reportedly carried out, but he was again declared dead.
A close friend later insisted Ozor was alive, leading to his return to the hospital and admission to the ICU on oxygen.
Adoyi said the family continued hoping he could be revived, but two hospitals had confirmed his death.
“The hospital said, this guy has gone. But yeah, they have to do it because the family, everybody is insisting that he is alive,” Adoyi said.
The latest account contradicts an earlier report that Ozor had “woken up” in the mortuary after reportedly showing signs of movement.
Katsina United had earlier announced his death and described it as a tragedy. Rivers United also joined the football community in mourning him.
Ozor had recently joined Katsina United ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season. He previously played for Heartland FC and Kano Pillars.
