THE Super Eagles of Nigeria, as well as officials and management staff, have held a minute of silence in honour of some fans who died during their semi-final win over South Africa.
Nigeria qualified for the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast after seeing off Bafana Bafana of South Africa through an intense penalty shootout.
It appears the shock and tension of the game was too much for some fans, as at least five people have been reported dead while watching the encounter.
They include a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Cairo Ojougboh; a corps member serving in Adamawa State, simply identified as Samuel; Deputy Bursar, Kwara State University, Malete, Ayuba Abdullahi; Mikail Osundiji of Olomoore area of Abeokuta, Ogun State; and one Anambra-born businessman, Osondu Nwoye, who was based in Cote d’Ivoire.
The team, led by Captain Ahmed Musa, sent their condolences as they held a one-minute silence to the departed souls during a team meeting while finishing it off with a prayer for their souls.