By Ibrahim Danladi
Mustapha Bello, a referee known as Mustafa Coach 02 among football enthusiasts, lost his life when he was struck by lightning during a friendly football match in Madalla town, Niger State. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, June 13, 2023, at the primary and secondary schools’ field in the community.
The match, involving youths from Suleja and Madalla, was on a half-time break at approximately 5:20 pm when the tragedy unfolded. Due to the rain, the footballers and their fans sought shelter inside the school’s classrooms. However, the referee and his assistant (line man) returned to the field, calling the players to join them.
Witnesses recounted that as they stood at the center of the pitch, a thunderbolt struck. Both officials were immediately rushed to the hospital, where the referee was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival, while his assistant was successfully resuscitated.
The deceased, Mustapha Bello, who was a member of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFA), was laid to rest on Wednesday morning in Suleja town, where he resided. The loss of the referee has left the football community and his loved ones in mourning.
A Facebook user, Awwal Yarima, expressed condolences for the departed referee in a heartfelt post.