Leicester striker pays tributes to CAF Doping Officer that died in Abuja
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have since said Kabungo died of a suspected cardiac arrest
Leicester City striker Patson Daka has paid tribute to a Zambian doctor who died after the World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana.
Joseph Kabungo, a medical officer for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was on duty for the decisive match as a doping officer, with his death confirmed by the Zambian FA on Wednesday.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have since said Kabungo died of a suspected cardiac arrest.
He was “found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team”, their statement read, and received resuscitation before being taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he passed away.
As a doctor, Kabungo had worked with the Zambian national team, and City forward Daka, writing on social media, said: “You were a dad, doctor, friend, and inspiration. Very dedicated to your work! It’s so disheartening to learn about the way your life was cut short.”
The Zambian FA’s president, Andrew Kamanga, said that the country had lost one of their “outstanding football personalities” who was a “confidant to many generations of players”.
Tuesday’s match ended in chaotic scenes as fans rioted following the final whistle. With a 1-1 draw, Ghana progressed to the World Cup finals on away goals, prompting angry Nigerian supporters to storm the pitch.
Players were hit with water bottles while the dugouts were upturned and vandalised, with police using tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Fifa have said they will analyse officials’ match reports to determine if the NFF should be sanctioned over the trouble.
However, in the statement by Zambian FA president Kamanga, there was a warning against speculating over the cause of Kabungo’s death.
It read: “Today we mourn the passing of our CAF/FIFA medical officer Dr Joseph Kabungo who was on duty as a doping officer in Tuesday’s match involving Nigeria and Ghana, and we extend our sincere condolences to Dr Kabungo’s family and the football family at large.
"We take note that it is too early to dwell into the nitty-gritty of the cause of his death but will wait for the full report from CAF and FIFA on what exactly transpired.
“He was a dedicated and widely loved member of our football community and his impact was vast, having also been part of the 2012 Africa Cup-winning team. His death is a huge loss as Kabungo was a friend and confidant to many generations of players and their families.
“He was one of the outstanding Zambian football personalities that flew the Zambian flag at global football events. We all have to learn from his example of excellence and celebrate his legacy by breeding more hard-working football Zambian administrators.