A Nigerian medical doctor based in Akure, Ondo state, Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese has urged fans of the Super Eagles and lovers of football battling a heart condition, to avoid watching the AFCON finals between Nigeria and Ivory Coast on Sunday.
Dr. Ikubese, who is the Chief Medical Director of Sckye Hospital in Akure, added that highly emotional people must equally avoid watching the live clash for the AFCON trophy.
The statement from Ikubese comes hours after several reports emerged of over five Nigerians who collapsed and died during the tense penalty shootouts between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.
The doctor shared other ways that the aforementioned category of people can follow up with the match without watching directly.
“I will counsel that this category of persons should not watch the live transmission of the match.
“If they must do so, however, they should deliberately engage in diversionary therapy as to minimise their systemic reactions to the activities therein.
“They can pick up their phones and be engaged therein while watching the match and deliberately play down their emotions, acting like the outcome of the match is of no consequence to them.
“On no account should they scream or jump up. If in spite of all these, they yet begin to feel uncomfortable, they should quit watching.
“If they are not sure of conducting themselves with such level of decorum, they should boycott the live transmission and watch the highlights thereafter,” he said.
Five Nigerians Who Died While Watching the AFCON Semifinals on Wednesday.
News Central reported that at least five people were reported to have died while watching the heated competition that saw Nigeria emerge victorious with a 4-2 win against South Africa on penalties.
The deceased included a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; Deputy Bursar of the Kwara State University, Malete, Ayuba Abdullahi, a corps member from Kaduna state serving in Adamawa, identified as Samuel; and an Anambra-born businessman, Osondu Nwoye, based in Cote d’Ivoire, who reportedly collapsed inside the stadium and died later at the hospital.
Dr. Ikubese condoled with the families of the deceased, while wishing the Super Eagles well at the final match.