Chief Osondu Nwoye, a wealthy businessman who hails from Anambra State but resides in Abidjan, met his untimely demise while watching the Nigeria versus South Africa semifinal match on Wednesday.
The shocking news allegedly surfaced when the second goal by the Super Eagles was disallowed, resulting in a penalty for South Africa.
Renowned billionaire, Obianna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, expressed his grief on Instagram, describing Osondu Nwoye as an amazing individual.
Obi Cubana also recounted spending time with Nwoye just days before the tragic incident.
A blogger, Chukwudi Izuchukwu, provided more details about the unfortunate event. His report suggests that Osondu Nwoye was exuberant and cheering loudly during the match until the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) nullified a goal, causing a penalty for South Africa.
The emotional impact was allegedly too much for his fragile heart, leading to his collapse inside the stadium. Despite immediate efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Nwoye, one of the earliest Nigerians in Ivory Coast in the 1990s, had built a prosperous business empire in auto spare parts and real estate. The report said he was known for his philanthropy and care for the less privileged, and held the title ‘Nwachinemelu of the Amanuike community in Anambra State’.
“He loves football; he was passionate about it and so sad and a paradox that he died inside the stadium as I wrote earlier watching the team that he loved so much, which is the Super Eagles, playing yesterday against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, because of heart failure.
The debt we owe his memory is to regularly check our blood pressure and then take exercise seriously.
Please, I beg you in the name of God, on Sunday before the finals of AFCON, check your blood pressure. Don’t be too stubborn and wicked to yourself to join other football fans to watch the finals of the competition with the knowledge that your blood pressure is above normal.
The AFCON finals will come and go, but you need to stay alive for your family.
Once more, may his soul rest in peace”, Izuchukwu shared. The death of Chief Osondu Nwoye unfortunately counts as the fourth death spurred by the intense match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday.