Corps member dies while watching Nigeria, S’Africa penalty shootout

A corps member serving in Adamawa state has passed away during the penalty shootouts of the match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa to qualify for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Both teams played out a one-all draw through the regular period and extra time before the Eagles triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

A Facebook user who claimed to have witnessed the incident shared it in a post on Thursday.

The corps member, simply identified as Samuel, was said to have watched the match at a viewing center in Numan, Adamawa.

He was said to have fainted just before the last kick that ensured Nigeria’s victory in the match.

The witness said Samuel was rushed to the hospital but died before they arrived at the health facility.

“We lost one Nigerian during our victory celebration over South Africa at our sports viewing center here in Numan,” the user wrote.

“The corps member who is serving in Numan from Kaduna State fainted before the kick of the winning goal.

“He died before they could reach the hospital in Numan. May his soul rest in peace.”

Speaking on the incident, Jingi Dennis, the NYSC coordinator in Adamawa, said the corps member was confirmed dead at the general hospital in Numan.

Dennis said Samuel had told the people around him of his dislike for watching penalty shootouts.

“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corps member told the people around him that he did not like watching penalty shootouts,” he said.

“He then bowed his head and all of a sudden, he collapsed. He was confirmed dead at the general hospital in Numan by the doctor.”