Katsina United have confirmed the death of defender Chinedu Ozor, dismissing earlier reports that the footballer regained consciousness after being pronounced dead following a collapse during a pre-season match.

Ozor collapsed during Katsina United’s friendly against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Despite efforts to save him, he sadly passed away.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the club issued a statement to clarify confusion surrounding the player’s condition after reports emerged that he had shown signs of life while at the mortuary.

Nigerian footballer declared dead after collapsing reportedly ‘wakes up’ in mortuary

Katsina United said the reports were false and urged the public to stop circulating unverified information about the tragedy.

“We have seen reports claiming that Chinedu later regained consciousness or ‘came back to life.’ We understand that people desperately wanted this to be true. We all did. But sadly, those reports are not true,” the statement said.

The club explained that Ozor’s family, devastated by the initial news, requested additional medical confirmation before his body was taken to the morgue.

“That moment of hope must not be turned into a story that Chinedu survived. He did not regain consciousness. He passed away,” the statement added.

Katsina United also appealed for sensitivity towards Ozor’s family, teammates and friends as they come to terms with his death.

“At this moment, what his family needs is compassion, not speculation. What his teammates need is space to grieve. And what Chinedu deserves is to be remembered with dignity,” the statement said.

Ozor had only recently joined Katsina United as the club prepared for the 2026/27 season.

Read the statement below:



FKA/MA

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