Nwoye was said to be the wealthiest Igbo businessman based in Cote d’Ivoire before his death
By Kehinde Okeowo
Reports have emerged on how Anambra-born billionaire, Chief Osondu Nwoye, lost his life while watching the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals encounter against the Bafana Bafana of South African on Wednesday.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the tension-soaked match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time and that Nigeria emerged victorious after a penalty shootouts.
Nwoye, who was said to be the wealthiest Igbo businessman based in Cote d’Ivoire before his death was in the stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.
He, however, became ecstatic during the match and started shouting loudly when Nigerian striker, Victor Osihmen scored a second goal.
Unfortunately, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) later cancelled the goal and the centre referee awarded a penalty to South Africa.
The decision seemingly overwhelmed the billionaire, who collapsed inside the stadium and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Confirming his demise, a blogger, Chukwudi Izuchukwu, wrote: “High Chief Osondu Nwoye was the richest Igbo businessman based in Ivory Coast before yesterday, but what the late Anambra-born billionaire did not see coming while watching his darling Super Eagles played yesterday in Ivory Coast, where he lives and runs his business, was that the match would cost him his life.”
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He added: “He travelled to Bouake, the city that hosted the Super Eagles match yesterday, to watch his darling Super Eagles play.
“He loves football and is patriotic for his home country.
“According to eyewitnesses, the High Chief was on top of the moon, shouting at the top of his voice, when Victor Osimen scored that second goal, which was later cancelled by VAR.
“Maybe the shock of seeing the goal cancelled and the penalty awarded to South Africa was too much to bear for his fragile heart, which failed immediately, which resulted in the High Chief collapsing inside the stadium.
“All the efforts to revive him failed, as he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”
Nwoye isn’t the only Nigerian who died while watching the semi-final match, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and a corps member serving in Adamawa State, identified as Samuel, also lost their lives.
Others such as the Deputy Bursar, Kwara State University, Malete, Ayuba Abdullahi and one Mikail Osundiji of Olomoore area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, were also casualties.