Katsina United midfielder Chinedu Ozor is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Katsina General Hospital after he was initially pronounced dead following a collapse during a pre-season match on Tuesday.
Ozor reportedly slumped while featuring for Katsina United against Niger Tornadoes at the Gusau/Ahlan Pre-season Cup in Katsina.
He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where a doctor reportedly confirmed his death.
However, when his body was later taken to Katsina General Hospital, medical personnel reportedly noticed movement, prompting his transfer from the morgue back to the intensive care unit.
Katsina United media officer, Nasir Gide, confirmed the development to The Punch, explaining how the player was initially pronounced dead at two different points.
“When we rushed him to a nearby hospital, he was confirmed dead by a doctor. We collected police report and took him back to Katsina General Hospital where he was also said to be dead. They took his body to the morgue there,” Gide said.
“Later, the medical personnel informed us that he has been taken back to the ICU from the morgue when they noticed movement in his body.”
The latest development followed an earlier announcement by Katsina United that Ozor had died.
His reported death subsequently triggered condolence messages from his former club, Kano Pillars, and other football clubs.
Heartland, another of his former clubs, had also reported that Ozor was moved from the mortuary back to the hospital after reportedly showing signs of movement.
“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,” Heartland posted.
“Ozor, we believe in the God of a second chance. May God restore.”
A Niger Tornadoes player who played against Ozor during Tuesday’s fixture also expressed optimism that the Katsina United player would survive.
“It was heartbreaking. We are hoping for a miracle,” he told The Punch via WhatsApp.
Meanwhile, Barau FC, one of the teams taking part in the tournament, has pulled out of the competition.
The club faulted the organisers for allowing the tournament to continue after the incident.
Ozor’s ordeal has once again brought attention to the state of medical preparedness at football venues across Nigeria, particularly following previous incidents involving players and coaches collapsing during matches and training sessions.
The development occurred exactly one year after Shooting Stars assistant coach Akin Olowokere collapsed and died during a training session on August 11, 2025. Olowokere, a former Sunshine Stars player, was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead.
Another notable case occurred in March 2020 when Nasarawa United defender Chineme Martins, 23, died after collapsing during a league match against Katsina United.
Following Martins’ death, the Nigeria Football Federation directed that league venues be equipped with the required medical equipment and personnel before matches could be played.
Match commissioners and host football associations were also instructed to inspect and test medical facilities before fixtures.
