Katsina United midfielder Chinedu Ozor, who was earlier pronounced dead after collapsing during a pre-season match, has been confirmed dead after a bizarre turn of events sparked reports that the player had “resurrected” in the mortuary.
Ozor, a former Kano Pillars player, collapsed less than 10 minutes into Katsina United’s pre-season friendly against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Despite efforts to save his life, he was pronounced dead and was subsequently taken towards the mortuary.
However, confusion arose after reports emerged that Ozor had raised an arm while being wheeled into the mortuary, prompting his family to insist that oxygen be administered and that further medical checks be carried out.
Katsina United Media Officer, Nasirani Gide, said the family’s intervention led to the player being placed on oxygen while medical personnel continued to monitor his condition.
According to Gide, the doctor formally confirmed Ozor’s death after 24 hours, after which his body was deposited at the Katsina General Hospital.
The development prompted the club to issue a clarification on Wednesday, dismissing social media reports that the player had regained consciousness or “come back to life.”
Katsina United stressed that Ozor never regained consciousness and that the family’s desperate hope that he might still be alive should not be interpreted as a recovery.
“He did not regain consciousness. He passed away,” the club stated.
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The club appealed to the public and media organisations to stop circulating rumours and unverified information about the player’s death.
Katsina United said Ozor’s teammates, friends and officials were grieving alongside his family, describing the circumstances surrounding his death as an extremely painful loss.
The club also urged the public to respect the privacy of Ozor’s family and allow the player to be remembered with dignity.
“Behind every post, every headline and every video is a grieving family,” the club said.
