Chinedu Ozor, the Katsina United defender who was earlier reported dead after collapsing during a pre-season friendly, has reportedly shown signs of movement while at the mortuary and has been rushed back to the hospital, raising fresh hopes that he may survive.
The dramatic development was announced on Tuesday evening after reports earlier in the day that the newly signed Katsina United player had died following a medical emergency during a friendly match against Niger Tornadoes FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
According to a grassroots sports journalist, Prince CJ, Ozor reportedly showed signs of movement after he had been taken to the mortuary and was subsequently rushed back to the hospital.
In a video shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening, Prince CJ said there was renewed hope for the footballer’s survival.
“Good news, I have gotten a very quick information now that Chinedu Ozor, the Katsina United player that collapsed during the friendly fixture against Niger Tornadoes at Mohammadu Dikko Stadium, his hand shook at the mortuary and they have rushed him back to the hospital, so there is a hope for him to survive,” he said
A separate update shared by one of his former teams, Heartland of Imo, also said Ozor had been moved from the mortuary back to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement.
The update stated that the footballer was currently receiving oxygen while medical personnel worked to revive him.
“Reliable sources say Chinedu Ozor has been moved from the mortuary to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement. He is currently on oxygen as medics work to revive him,” the update said.
It added a prayer for the player, saying: “Ozor, we believe in the God of a second chance. May God restore your life and grant you complete recovery.”
Katsina United had earlier confirmed that Ozor had died after suffering a medical emergency during its pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes on Tuesday.
The club described the incident as a tragedy and expressed condolences to the player’s 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.”
