Former Osun Commissioner Advises Hypertensive Nigerians To Avoid AFCON Final

Former Osun Commissioner Advises Hypertensive Nigerians To Avoid AFCON Final

A former Osun State Commissioner for Works, Remi Omowaiye, has urged Nigerians suffering from hypertension to refrain from watching the upcoming final match of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) next Sunday….READ MORE AFCON 2024: Cote d’Ivoire Manager Plans Super Eagles’ Downfall

This cautionary advice follows reports of football fans succumbing to shock during the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s semi-final victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

In a statement released in Osogbo, Omowaiye recounted his own experience of anxiety during the tense moments of the semi-final, particularly when Nigeria faced a penalty towards the end of the game. Reflecting on his reaction, he revealed his decision to avoid watching the final live, opting instead to view the replay after learning the outcome, to spare himself emotional and physical stress.

Omowaiye also called upon the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to honor the memory of the fans who tragically lost their lives while following the semi-final match. He stressed the importance of acknowledging and paying tribute to these dedicated supporters, asserting that those who passed away in such circumstances deserve recognition and remembrance.

“The Super Eagles of Nigeria should mourn those who died while watching the semi-final match on Wednesday. I want to advise Nigerians in their interest, especially those managing hypertension. They should not watch the final match on Sunday. They better wait till the game ends and watch the replay. The way I felt particularly when a penalty was awarded against Nigeria during the semi-final match, I had never felt like that in my whole life. I was shivering,” Omowaiye stated.

He continued, “Even after the match, I was still shivering. I advise Nigerians managing hypertension to avoid watching the final match. NFF needs to mourn people who died as a result of shock during the semi-final match.”

Omowaiye highlighted specific incidents where individuals collapsed or passed out during the match, including a leader of APC in Delta State, a notable Nigerian businessman operating in Cote D’Ivoire, and the Deputy Bursar of a university in Kwara State. He noted that while some cases were reported, there could be several others that went unreported.

As the excitement builds for the AFCON final, Omowaiye’s advice serves as a reminder of the potential health risks associated with high-stakes sporting events, particularly for those with underlying medical conditions like hypertension.