Danger was averted at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday evening after Heartland FC defender BrownByaye Okpus almost died after he slumped and lost consciousness for several minutes before he was revived at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri during their NPFL MatchDay 11 tie against Rivers United.
Okpus’ health scare was the second in the last one week in the Naze Millionaires’ fold after Emeka Atuloma reportedly fainted during the final of the Imo State Federation Cup the previous Sunday.
Goal was informed that Okpus made a back pass to Heartland goalkeeper, Emmanuel Iwu in the 80th minute but that the harmless pass turned awry when Iwu who was not under pressure failed to control the ball and had to stop it from going into the net after a desperate late catch.
Okpus thought the ball had gone into the net and being the player that made the pass to the goalkeeper he was struck by the prospect of giving away their lead and fell down unchallenged before he was rescued by the team doctors.
The former Bayelsa United defender was not revived at the stadium and it was a pitiable scene at the Dan Anyiam Stadium when he was wheeled away to the waiting ambulance and taken to the hospital.
Goal was later told by the Media Officer of the team, Solomon Onu that the player had been revived and has been placed on mediaction including drips to help him recover quicky.
He said Heartland was grateful to God that Okpus came around and that immediately the player fell down on his own, the result of the match does not matter and that they anxiously waited to hear report from the hospital if the player had been revived and were relieved when the news reached them.
“It was a pitiable scene because immediately Okpus fell down many were thinking the worst after they battled hard to revive him in the stadium without success. We were happy when we heard that he had regained consciousness
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