Chinedu Ozor, the Katsina United defender who was 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.
Ozor’s death was confirmed by sources familiar with the incident, according to Emmanuel Owi Adoyi, a grassroots sports writer who said he was privy to developments surrounding the footballer’s condition.
Adoyi, in a video posted on Facebook on Wednesday morning, explained that Ozor had collapsed during a friendly match involving Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday.
According to him, Ozor had left the team’s camp on foot to jog to the stadium as part of efforts to improve his fitness after recovering from an injury.
He said the two teams later agreed to play a friendly match involving players who had not featured in the ongoing Allianz Tournament in Katsina.
“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.
He said medical personnel at the stadium immediately attended to Ozor before he was rushed to a nearby private hospital.
“When they got to that hospital, they did all they could. At the end of the day, they confirmed him dead,” he said.
Adoyi said Ozor’s family was contacted and requested that he be taken to another hospital for further examination.
He was subsequently moved to a general hospital, where another cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was reportedly conducted, but he was again confirmed dead.
However, following the second confirmation, a close friend of the footballer reportedly insisted that Ozor was still alive and urged his family not to allow him to be taken to the mortuary.
The player was subsequently moved back to the hospital and placed in the intensive care unit (ICU), where he reportedly remained on oxygen.
Adoyi said Ozor had used two oxygen cylinders between Tuesday and Wednesday as the family continued to hope that he could be revived.
He, however, said the medical personnel treating Ozor had maintained that the player was dead, noting that two hospitals had independently 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.
On Tuesday evening, a grassroots sports journalist, Prince CJ, had announced that Ozor’s heart allegedly showed signs of activity while he was at the mortuary and that he had been rushed back to the hospital.
A former club of the player, Heartland FC, also shared an update saying Ozor had been moved from the mortuary back to the hospital and was receiving oxygen while medical personnel worked to revive him.
The development sparked widespread hope among football fans and Nigerians, with many praying for his recovery.
However, Adoyi said on Wednesday that the report of the player being alive had been based on an interpretation of the events surrounding his movement from the mortuary to the hospital, rather than a confirmed medical declaration that he had regained consciousness.
He also appealed to Nigerians and media organisations to exercise caution when reporting sensitive developments concerning Ozor.
“I know everybody wants Ozo back, I also wish and I pray he can come back,” Adoyi said. “But what has happened, has happened. It’s unfortunate, it is painful.”
Katsina United had earlier confirmed Ozor’s death following the medical emergency during its pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes.
The club described the incident as a tragedy and expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.
“We mourn the tragic passing of our newly signed player, Ozoh Chinedu, following a medical emergency during today’s friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC,” the club said.
The club added: “Our thoughts, prayers, and strength are with his family and loved ones. Rest on Warrior.”
Rivers United also joined the Nigerian football community in mourning the player, saying he reportedly died in the early hours of Tuesday after being rushed to hospital following the incident.
Ozor had recently joined Katsina United as the club strengthened its squad ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season.
He previously represented clubs including Heartland FC and Kano Pillars.
Transfer records indicate that Ozor moved from Heartland to Kano Pillars in July 2025 before subsequently joining Katsina United.
His death comes amid renewed concerns over the medical welfare and emergency response systems available to professional footballers in Nigeria.
