TheCable

Samuel Kalu, Super Eagles player, collapsed due to the dehydration from the summer heat in Egypt, an official told TheCable.

This is coming on the back of reports that he had suffered a heart attack during the Eagles’ final training session ahead of their opening match against Burundi at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Kalu was said to have collapsed while taking a corner in training at the Alexandria stadium on Friday evening. He was immediately attended to by medical staff.

“Kalu suffered a cardiac arrest during the evening training while preparing for Burundi’s clash on Saturday at the Alexandria Stadium,” said Filgoal, an Egyptian website, which first broke the news.

Ademola Olajire, communication director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), told TheCable that the Bordeaux winger is  “okay” and “stabilised”.

He also said Kalu’s collapse was due to dehydration and he has been advised to drink more water.

“I have been told Samuel Kalu has been stabilised,” said Olajire.

“He was taken to hospital for tests and he is certified okay.

“He was dehydrated, they said. Told him he needs to be taking enough fluids.”

Kalu is among the nine strikers in Gernot Rohr’s team. It remains unknown if he would feature for their Group B opening game against Burundi.

The teams at the 32nd edition of the AFCON had been forewarned of the possibilities of playing under extreme temperatures during the tournament.

According to a statement from the Confederation of African Football CAF), the average temperature for the duration of the tournament is expected to be between 35-38 degrees celsius with an average humidity of 40-60%.