During a game, a football referee was killed when he was hit by lightning while directing the players to seek shelter from the storm, know who is Mustapha Bello from Nigeria
According to reports, the 40-year-old was killed by thunder.
Who is Nigeria football referee Mustapha Bello who died as lightning struck him during game
The tragic occurrence happened on June 14th, Wednesday night, at the Community Primary and Secondary School ground in Madalla, Niger State. When the incident occurred on Tuesday, Nigerian official Mustapha Bello was in charge of a friendly game. When he was struck by lightning and instantly went suddenly while refereeing a game between students from Madalla and Suleja, supporters and spectators in the stands were stunned.
While Madalla and Suleja were playing in a school game, there was a heavy downpour and thunder. At the beginning of the second half, Bello reportedly stepped outside to observe the pitch and was struck by a thunderbolt. He was brought to a hospital in Madalla, in the western Niger state of Nigeria, but his life could not be saved.
Muhammed Musa, an eyewitness, reported that all of the football players and their supporters sought shelter in the classrooms of the school since it was pouring. The officials hurried back onto the pitch and commanded the players to follow them. When the thunder clapped, they were in the middle of the pitch. They were both taken urgently to a hospital. The referee was confirmed dead upon arrival, while his assistant was revived.
Was it rainy at the venue?
According to the sources, it did not get very intense before the referee had the unpleasant situation; the rain did not arrive until 35 minutes into the game. Additionally, it has been heard that Mustapha Bello was laid to rest later on Wednesday night after his family received word from the physicians that he had gone away.
Bello was one of the officials that officiated in the Nigerian League last year. Following the terrible and untimely death of referee Mustapha Bello, who was killed by thunder while overseeing a game, Nigeria’s football community has been plunged into deep grief.
Death of a former Super Falcons coach
Previously, The SportsGrail had reported on the passing of former Super Falcons coach Mabo Ismaila on March 12’s first morning. At the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2000 Summer Olympics, and the 2004 Summer Olympics, Ismaila served as the team’s head coach.
Before finally succumbing to his illness at the age of 80, he was believed to have fought it for months, leaving behind spouses, kids, and grandkids. Given the number of players that went through him throughout his active coaching career, Ismaila was among Nigeria’s top grassroots coaches.