SPORTS
NFF Condoles with FIFA, CAF, Zambia over Death of Doping Control Officer
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday expressed shock and sorrow over the death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died on Tuesday after the FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Dr Kabungo was appointed as Doping Control Officer for the match.“We are terribly shocked at this sad development.
The NFF commiserates with world football –body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing. His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock.“However, it is important to state the facts as they are. According to the information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as Medical Officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team. I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said.
Dr Ozi Salami told thenff.com that the incident happened when he (Dr Salami) was looking to get the Nigerian player for the doping exercise, while Dr Kabungo was looking to get the Ghanaian player for the same exercise.
“I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team when the General Coordinator, Kabore Hubert Bosilong from South Africa called my attention. Dr Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath. The FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda also witnessed the incident.
“We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost. It is a very sad incident and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiact arrest.”
Officials of the NFF, the medical team and officials of the High Commission of Zambia held a meeting on Wednesday morning to decide on the next line of action following the demise of Dr Kabungo.
Holders Nigeria’s Super Falcons will discover their group opponents at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.
The draw ceremony will be held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has expanded the biennial competition to 16 teams.
The Super Falcons, hosts Morocco Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde are among the teams that will compete for the title.
Others are Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
The 16 qualified teams will be seeded into four pots based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking from 11 December 2025.
CAF will also announce the winners of the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year and other outstanding women’s football awards at the draw ceremony.
The WAFCON 2026 finals will run from 17 March to 3 April, 2026.
Super Eagles players have threatened not to travel to Marrakech for their next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Algeria unless all outstanding winning bonuses are paid by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
A highly reliable source within the team disclosed.
According to the source, players and officials are reportedly still awaiting their bonus payments from the tournament.
It was gathered that win bonuses for the four matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Mozambique have yet to be settled.
While the team remains committed to the competition, they have made it clear that they will not train or travel to Marrakech for the next match unless the outstanding payments are resolved, our source confirmed.
Recall that in November, the team also threatened to boycott their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gabon, citing unpaid entitlements.
In a joint statement signed by players and staff, the squad said, “The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue preparations for Thursday’s game with Gabon.”
Chelsea have announced the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new head coach.
Rosenior will take charge at Stamford Bridge following Enzo Maresca’s departure last week.
The 41-year-old signed a contract until 2032.
Rosenior arrived at the London club after coaching overseas with RC Strasbourg, where he led the French club to European qualification for the first time in 19 years in his first season, and following earlier roles in England with Hull City and Derby County.
‘I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies,” Rosenior told the club’s official website.
‘My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves.
‘I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success.
‘I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal.
‘There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club.
‘I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club.
‘I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started.’
WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons to Know Group Foes Today
ShareHolders Nigeria’s Super Falcons will discover their group opponents at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday. The...
Nigerian Army Begins Construction of New Training Depot in Ebonyi
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Nigerian Army has commenced the construction of an additional training depot at Amasiri-Edda in Afikpo...
NiMet Inaugurates AI Team to Advance Weather Forecasts
ShareThe Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has inaugurated an Artificial Intelligent (AI) research and integration team to advance weather forecasting innovation....
Gunmen Kill PDP House of Assembly Candidate, Four Others in Benue
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Suspected armed herders have killed five persons, including the house of assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa state...
NAF Invites Youths for Tech-driven Airpower Innovation through CAS Literary Competition
ShareThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has called on Nigerian youths to channel their creativity and intellect toward shaping the future...
Police Confirms Slaughter Homes in Benue, Apprehends 41 Suspects
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Policemen in Benue State have arrested 41 suspects in connection with the alleged slaughter homes operating...
Tinubu Visits, Opens New Trade Front with UAE
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab...
FG Honors Army Chief, Officer, Veterans at 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Gala
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Federal Government on Tuesday honoured serving personnel and veterans of the Nigerian Army for gallantry,...
The Knee on EFCC’s Neck
ShareBy Reuben Abati “The knee on his neck” reminds us of the case of the American citizen, George Floyd, who...
Over Hundred Children killed in Gaza since Ceasefire, Says UNICEF
ShareThe U.N. children’s agency on yesterday said over 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the October ceasefire, including...