I call on all Doctors, Medical Officers, Physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals working with football clubs in Nigeria to pay greater attention to the health and safety of football players, particularly conditions affecting the brain and nervous system (neurological dysfunction).
The reported collapse and death of Chinedu Ozor, a player of Katsina United FC, on August 11, 2026, together with the recent neurological episodes involving Jamal Musiala of FC Bayern München, serve as important reminders to the football community that a player can experience a serious medical condition on the field that may not always be immediately visible or predictable.
What Should Club Medical Teams Watch For?
If a player:
– Collapses without an obvious explanation.
– Loses consciousness or becomes unresponsive.
– Suddenly stares blankly or appears unaware of his surroundings.
– Develops unusual shaking or abnormal body movements.
– Develops difficulty speaking or understanding.
– Has difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
– Develops a severe headache following a collision.
– Shows signs of concussion or any significant change in mental status.
Do not simply assume that the player is experiencing ordinary fatigue, weakness, or exhaustion.
Immediate Action on the Field
The first priority is to protect the player from further injury and identify any life-threatening condition.
When a seizure or other neurological event is suspected:
1. Remove the Player from Play
Do not allow or pressure the player to continue playing until they have been appropriately assessed by the medical team.
2. Assess Vital Functions
Assess responsiveness, airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) and provide appropriate emergency care.
3. Protect the Player from Further Injury
Clear dangerous objects from around the player and protect the head, particularly during a convulsive episode.
4. Do Not Forcefully Restrain the Player
If the player is having a seizure, do not attempt to hold down or forcibly control their movements.
5. Do Not Put Anything in the Player’s Mouth
Do not give water, food, medication, a spoon, fingers, or any other object during a seizure.
6. Record the Duration of the Episode
Timing is extremely important when assessing a suspected seizure and determining whether emergency intervention is required.
7. Do Not Rush the Player Back onto the Field
After an episode, the player should undergo an appropriate medical assessment. Return to play should only occur when medically appropriate and after serious causes requiring emergency referral have been considered and appropriately managed.
Most Important Point
If the episode is prolonged, repeatedly occurs without recovery of consciousness, is associated with breathing difficulties, results in significant injury, or the player’s condition deteriorates, this should be treated as a medical emergency, and the club’s emergency referral protocol should be activated immediately.
A Message to Nigerian Football Clubs
Every football club should have a clear Emergency Medical Action Plan (EMAP) in place before matches and training sessions.
This should include:
– Trained medical personnel.
– Appropriate first-aid and emergency equipment.
– A clear concussion-management protocol.
– A neurological-emergency management protocol.
– A rapid pathway for transferring an injured or seriously ill player to an appropriate medical facility.
– Updated emergency contact information.
– Accurate documentation of every significant medical episode.
– A clear medical clearance process before a player returns to training or competition.
We should not wait for a serious tragedy before taking preventive action.
The health and safety of the player must always come before the result of the match.
Final Message
Doctors and medical teams: Stay vigilant.
Coaches: Listen to and respect the medical team’s decisions.
Players: Never hide symptoms or episodes of illness from your medical team.
Neurological events can occur unexpectedly. Early recognition, prevention of secondary injury, appropriate emergency management, specialist assessment, and safe return to play decisions can save lives and protect the long term health and careers of football players.
Preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health.
Dr. Muhammad Inuwa Musa
Public Health Officer | FIFA Football Medicine | Physical Therapist
