By Izunna Okafor, Awka
What began as a night of football excitement ended in sorrow Umudieleke Umuoru Village, Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, as family members, friends, neighbours and sympathizers gathered on Sunday to bid a final farewell to Mazi Chibuzor Nzediegwu, a popular livestock trader who reportedly died while watching the UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The deceased, who reportedly suffered a heart attack while beholding the proceedings and the outcome of the highly-anticipated match, was said to have been laid to rest at his hometown amid tears and emotional scenes.
Reports indicate that the Nzediegwu, a well-known poultry and livestock dealer at Orie Uga Market and a die-hard fan of Arsenal Football Club, was among football enthusiasts who gathered at a viewing centre in Uga to watch the Champions League final on Saturday evening.
Sources familiar with the incident, however, said he suddenly slumped as PSG equalized with Arsenal during the second half of the match, as tension heightened in the encounter. Although, it was gathered that he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention, reports say efforts by health workers to revive him proved unsuccessful, as he was later confirmed dead.
The next day, being Sunday, mourners converged at his family compound in Umudieleke Umuoru Village for the burial ceremony, where emotions ran high as relatives struggled to come to terms with the reality of the loss.
This was corroborated by videos from the burial ceremony, which is currently trending on social media, capturing the emotional moments as family members, friends, community leaders and sympathizers paid their last respects to the deceased.
In their separate reactions, netizens who have commented on the videos and posts about the late Nzediegwu’s demise, described him as a dedicated and industrious businessman whose spirit of hardwork and joviality would be remembered for years to come.
Some netizens, however, criticized the circumstances resulting in Nze’s death as nothing worth it at all, while also warning people to stop putting all their thoughts in football.
Although, as at the time of filing this report, there is no available information as to whether Nze bet money on the match or not, some social media users also cautioned football lovers against betting what they cannot easily forfeit or betting their entire life savings on football; even as many others harped on the need for regular medical check health considerations before embarking on certain adventures.
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