By Mercy Chewe
Former Zambia National Team Physician Dr. Joseph Kabungo Kateule has died in shocking circumstances while on FIFA/CAF duty in Nigeria at Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Dr Kabungo died after riots at the Stadium that followed the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup match between hosts Nigeria and Ghana in Abuja.
He was a medical officer in the Ministry of Health.
Nigerians rioted after their team failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Some media reports from Nigeria say Dr. Kabungo was beaten and stamped on by irate fans at the Stadium and died on arrival at the hospital while other reports say he collapsed at Moshood Abiola Stadium.
“Dr Joseph Kabungo, a Zambian medical practitioner, is reported to have lost consciousness after he was beaten and stepped on as fans try to make their way out of the stadium due to stampede,” Sports Brief reported.
In a post on Twitter by British-Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, his death was confirmed after he was rushed to the hospital.
Dr. Kabungo was CAF’s Doping Officer for the second leg of the World Cup play-off between the West African rivals Nigeria and Ghana.
Dr. Kabungo was a member of the FIFA Medical Committee.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to officially comment on the incident.
