FAREWELL TO DR. KABUNGO, THE CAF AND FIFA ANTI-DOPING OFFICER

DR. Joseph Kateule Kabungo. the seasoned medical doctor and the CAF and FIFA anti-doping officer died in Abuja, Nigeria on March 29, 2022.

He died after the World Cup final qualifier match between Nigeria and Ghana. Dr. Kabungo died at the age of 50.

The match between Nigeria and Ghana ended 1-1 and saw Ghana qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament on an away-goal rule. The World Cup is slated for November 2022.

Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup finals infuriated their soccer fans and this culminated into a stampede in the stadium where the match took place.

The post mortem conducted on Dr. Kabungo revealed that he died of cardiac arrest. Dr. Kabungu served as the Chongwe district health officer prior to his death. He served the people of Chongwe with distinction.

Many people might have not known Dr. Kabungo but the man served as the team doctor for the Zambia national soccer team from 2003 to 2016.

Dr. Kabungo was the team doctor for the Zambia national soccer team during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) football tournament when Zambia conquered Africa by winning the coveted trophy.

Football has been known as the unifier throughout the world. But, it is unfortunate that the match between Nigeria and Ghana turned out to be an emotional event following the death of Dr. Kabungo.

Dr. Kabungo is gone but his legacy will certainly outlive him because of his good works in the medical fraternity.

Dr. Kabungo is survived by a wife and three children. He was interred at Leopards

Hill Memorial Park and his burial was preceded by the funeral service which was held at Woodlands Stadium. Hundreds of people thronged the Woodlands Stadium to pay their last respects.

Go well Dr. Kabungo and may your soul rest in peace.