Chinedu Ozor, a 33-year-old Nigerian defender, has been confirmed dead after collapsing during Katsina United’s friendly match against Niger Tornadoes.
The match formed part of Katsina United’s preparations for the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. It took place at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium in Katsina.
Medical staff attended to Ozor on the pitch before rushing him to the hospital for emergency treatment. However, efforts to save his life proved unsuccessful. 
Katsina United announced his death later that day and expressed condolences to his family, friends and teammates.
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Conflicting Reports Follow Chinedu Ozor’s Death
Following the club’s announcement, conflicting reports quickly spread across social media.
Some reports claimed that Ozor showed signs of life at the morgue in Katsina General Hospital.
According to those reports, part of his body allegedly moved, prompting medical personnel to return him to the intensive care unit.
Other reports attributed similar claims to the club’s media officer. They alleged that doctors had declared the player dead twice before noticing movement.
His former club, Heartland, also reportedly stated that medical personnel had moved Ozor from the mortuary back to the hospital.
The reports briefly raised hopes among fans and members of the football community.
Katsina United Dismisses Reports
On Wednesday, August 12, Katsina United released an official statement titled “A Heartfelt Clarification.”
The club confirmed Ozor’s death and addressed reports claiming that he had regained consciousness.
The club said the reports were false and urged the public to stop spreading unverified information.
“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 club explained that Ozor’s family requested another medical confirmation after his condition worsened.
The family remained hopeful and deeply shocked before medical personnel took his body to the morgue.
Katsina United stressed that Ozor never regained consciousness after collapsing.
“He did not regain consciousness. He passed away.”
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Ozor’s NPFL Career
Katsina United appealed to the public to respect Ozor’s grieving family and stop sharing unverified claims.
The club said the circumstances surrounding his death should not become a false story about his survival.
It urged everyone to remember Chinedu Ozor with dignity as a son, brother, teammate and friend.
Ozor wore the number three shirt for Katsina United.
He built a career across several NPFL clubs, including Abia Warriors, Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars. He also played for Katsina United, Heartland of Owerri and Kano Pillars.
Ozor returned to Katsina United in 2026 ahead of the new season. He signed a contract that was expected to keep him at the club until 2027.
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