Katsina United have been thrown into mourning following the death of their newly signed player, Ozoh Chinedu, after he suffered a medical emergency during a pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes on Tuesday.
The match was being played at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina as both clubs continued preparations for the upcoming football season.
Ozoh, who recently joined Katsina United from Kano Pillars, reportedly developed a medical emergency during the encounter and was immediately taken to K-Dara Specialist Hospital for treatment.
The club announced his death in a statement issued through its Media Directorate on Tuesday and shared on its Facebook page.
“The football community in Katsina State and beyond has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Ozoh, a newly signed player of Katsina United Football Club and former Kano Pillars FC player.
“Ozoh reportedly passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, after he was rushed to K-Dara Specialist Hospital in Katsina following a medical emergency during a friendly match involving Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes FC at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina.
“According to reports, the incident occurred while the two teams were engaged in the pre-season friendly as part of their preparations for the upcoming football season.
“The player was immediately attended to and subsequently rushed to the nearby K-Dara Specialist Hospital for urgent medical attention. However, despite efforts to save his life, Ozoh Chinedu sadly passed away,” the statement partly read.
Katsina United said the circumstances surrounding the player’s sudden death had not yet been established, adding that his passing had shocked his teammates, coaches, management and supporters.
The club said Ozoh’s death was particularly painful because he had only recently joined the team and was preparing to contribute to its campaign in the new season.
“His death has come as a major shock to his teammates, coaching crew, club management, supporters and the wider football community, particularly coming at a time when he had just joined Katsina United and was preparing for the new season.
“Ozoh was previously associated with Kano Pillars FC before making the move to Katsina United, where he was expected to contribute to the club’s campaign in the forthcoming season.
“The circumstances surrounding his sudden death are yet to be fully established, and further details are expected from the club, medical authorities or his family. The football community in Katsina and across Nigeria is now mourning the loss of a young footballer whose career was tragically cut short.”
The club expressed sympathy to Ozoh’s family, teammates, friends and the wider football community, praying for strength for those affected by the loss.
“May God grant his family, teammates, friends, Katsina United FC and the entire football community the strength to bear this painful loss.”
