COSAFA is mourning an official member of the Confederation of African Football Dr Joseph Kabungo who passed away following the disturbances that erupted aftermath of the Nigeria – Ghana FIFA World Cup qualifier in Abuja on Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles fans were left unhappy following their 1-1 stalemate against the Black Stars at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
After the game, fans staged a riot at the stadium with police firing tear gas to ensure there is claim at the stadium.
However, Dr Joseph Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner, is reported that have lost consciousness after he was beaten and stepped on as fans tried to make their way out of the stadium due to the stampede.
He was CAF’s designated Doping Officer for the game between Ghana and Nigeria.
Below is a statement from COSAFA:
“It is a great and sad loss to the COSAFA zone, Dr Kabungo was always giving of his time and his expertise. He was a fine human being and will be sorely missed by everyone in our region,” COSAFA General Secretary Sue Destombes said.
Dr Kabungo was acting as a doping officer at the game and suffered a cardiac arrest after the match.
“We mourn the passing of our CAF/FIFA medical officer Dr Joseph Kabungo and we extend our sincere condolences to Dr Kabungo’s family and the football family at large,” Football Association of Zambia President Andrew Kamanga said.
“He was a dedicated and widely loved member of our football community and his impact was vast, having also been part of the 2012 Africa Cup [of Nations] winning team. His death is a huge loss as Dr Kabungo was a friend and confidant to many generations of players and their families.
“He was one of the outstanding Zambian football personalities that flew the Zambian flag at global football events. We all have to learn from his example of excellence and celebrate his legacy by breeding more hard working football Zambian administrators.”
The draw means Ghana will play in the Mundial for the fourth time in Qatar later this year.