It was reported that Ojougboh gave up the ghost as soon as a penalty kick was awarded against Nigeria, during the match.
Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong had scored a penalty at the 67th minute for Nigeria, before the Nelson Mandela’s kinsmen were awarded a spot-kick.
The game, however, ended with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory in favour of Nigeria, sending the Super Eagles to the final of the tournament.
Cairo Ojougboh was a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, having represented Ika Federal Constituency.
In the case of Samuel, the NYSC member serving in Adamawa died before the last shootout that progressed Nigeria to the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to a post made on Facebook by an eye-witness, Samuel died during celebration of Nigeria’s shootout in the semi final match.
“We lost one Nigerian a few minutes ago during our victory celebration over South Africa today at our Sport Viewing Center (SVC) here in Numan.
“The corp member who is serving in numan from Kaduna has fainted before the kick-off of the winning goal.
“He died before they could reach hospital in Numan, may his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa state, Mr. Jingi Dennis, in a telephone conversation, said “l have received the news of his death last night, I hope to have more details today.
“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corp member told them that he doesn’t like watching penalty shootout, he then bowed his head and all of a sudden he collapsed.”
“He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the Doctor,” the coordinator said.
Similarly, the Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, on Wednesday night, died while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.
Sources close to the deceased but who spoke on condition of anonymity said Abdullahi went to a sports centre in the Sango area before he started feeling uneasy.
One of the sources said, “The Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a penalty kick.
“He complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest not knowing that his BP had gone up.
“On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died.
“He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.”
The university’s Director of Information, Dr Saedat Aliyu, confirmed Abdullahi’s death.
Aliyu, however, stated that the cause of death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.