Katsina United have dismissed reports that their player, Chinedu Ozor, regained consciousness after he was pronounced dead following his collapse during a pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes in Katsina.

The club clarified the circumstances surrounding the tragic death in a statement issued on Wednesday, urging the public to disregard reports suggesting that the footballer survived the incident and later regained consciousness at a mortuary. Blueprint reports

Ozor reportedly collapsed during the pre-season encounter at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina, and subsequently died despite efforts to save his life.

His death triggered an outpouring of grief among teammates, football supporters and the wider Nigerian football community, while reports later emerged claiming that the player had regained consciousness after being taken to the mortuary.

Katsina United, however, said the reports were false.

Club explains how confusion started

According to the club, the confusion followed a request by Ozor’s family for further medical confirmation after he was pronounced dead.

The family, overwhelmed by the shock of losing their son and still hoping that something could be done to save him, requested additional confirmation before his body was taken to the morgue.

The club said the decision by the family to seek further confirmation was driven by grief and hope and should not be interpreted as evidence that Ozor was still alive.

Katsina United said it understood why people wanted the reports of his survival to be true, but stressed that there was no basis for the claims.

The club maintained that Ozor had passed away and did not regain consciousness after being pronounced dead.

‘He did not regain consciousness’

Katsina United made a strong appeal for the public to stop circulating the reports, warning that the spread of unverified information was adding to the pain being experienced by the player’s family, friends and teammates.

The club said the hope expressed by Ozor’s family in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy should not be transformed into a false account that the footballer survived.

It stressed that the circumstances surrounding his death remained unchanged and urged members of the public to rely on verified information from the club and the player’s family.

The clarification became necessary after reports circulated widely on social media, with some claims suggesting that Ozor had been wrongly declared dead and later regained consciousness.

The club described such reports as false and urged supporters and members of the public to exercise restraint and compassion.

Teammates, family in mourning

The death of Ozor has left his teammates, friends and family mourning the loss of a young footballer whose life was cut short during a sporting activity.

Katsina United said those closest to the player were still dealing with the emotional impact of his death and appealed to the public to respect their privacy during the difficult period.

The club stressed that what the family needed at the moment was compassion rather than speculation, while his teammates needed the necessary space to grieve their colleague.

It also urged football supporters to remember Ozor for his contribution to the team and his passion for the game rather than allowing rumours surrounding his death to overshadow his memory.

Pre-season tragedy raises concern

Ozor’s death has also cast a shadow over pre-season preparations as clubs across Nigeria continue to prepare for upcoming competitions.

Pre-season matches are usually organised to help teams assess players, build fitness and prepare tactically ahead of the new campaign. However, the incident involving Ozor has brought renewed attention to the importance of medical preparedness and emergency response during football matches.

While Katsina United’s latest statement focused on correcting reports surrounding the player’s death, the tragedy has inevitably raised questions about the medical arrangements available during football matches and the need for prompt intervention when players suffer medical emergencies.

For Ozor’s teammates, coaches and supporters, however, the immediate concern remains mourning their colleague and offering support to his family.

Katsina United urged everyone to allow the family to grieve privately and respectfully while refraining from spreading information that has not been confirmed.

Club appeals for dignity

The club concluded its clarification with an appeal for dignity in the way Ozor’s death is discussed.

Katsina United said the player deserved to be remembered with dignity and appealed to supporters and members of the public to allow him to rest.

The club’s position effectively puts to rest the reports that Ozor regained consciousness after being taken to the mortuary, maintaining that he died following his collapse during the friendly against Niger Tornadoes.

As the football community mourns the player, Katsina United’s appeal remains for compassion, respect for the grieving family and restraint in sharing information surrounding the tragedy.

The club also reiterated the importance of relying on verified information, particularly in moments of tragedy when rumours can spread rapidly and cause additional distress to bereaved families and those closest to the deceased.