Togo goalkeeper airlifted to South Africa for emergency surgery

By Duncan Mackay

January 9 – Togo’s reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale was tonight set to undergo emergency surgery on his injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on the team’s bus in Angola yesterday.

Obilale has been airlifted to South Africa for treatment, where he has been admitted to the Millpark Hospital in Johannesburg.

The hospital said in a statement that they could confirm that the seriously injured 25-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for French club GSI Pontivy, was admitted to the clinic.

The hospital’s chief executive Dr Richard Friedland said that a specialist trauma team had been placed on alert ahead of his arrival.

He said: ”The patient, who has two gun shot wounds to his back, was well cared for by our colleagues in Angola and is stable, awake, fully alert and aware.

“Whilst it is too early to determine the full extent of his injuries, we can confirm that he will be undergoing surgery later Saturday.

“The injured player arrived in South Africa via an international SOS mercy flight shortly after 6pm this evening and was placed in the care of the hospital trauma team.”

A hospital spokesman said that injuries like those sustained by Obilale were not uncommon to the trauma team and he was in the best possible hands.

He said: ”A further update on his condition will be given on Sunday.”

Initial reports stated that the driver of the Togo bus had been killed and three injured, but there are conflicting stories emerging from the Angola hospitals.

It is now suggested nine were injured including two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another member of staff.

Defender Serge Akakpo was hit by two bullets and lost a lot of blood, but his condition is said to have stabilised after surgery.

Earlier today Togo Government Minister Pascal Bodjona confirmed that the team would return home.

Bodjona, who is also the Minister of State for Territorial Administration, Decentralisation and Local Collectivities, stated that the government has decided to call the team back from Angola after the attack.

He said: ”We can’t take part in the tournament under these circumstances.

“We could not continue the African Nations Cup in this dramatic situation.

“The players are in a state of shock.”

Serie A club Udinese have formally demanded that Kwadwo Asamoah (pictured) pulls out of the Africa Cup of Nations as pressure mounts from Europe’s top teams for the tournament to be cancelled.

The Togo bus was riddled by machine-gun fire as it entered Angola and the organisation responsible for the attack has threatened further reprisals.

“We are calling Asamoah back first of all because we want to look out for the man before the player, plus obviously we are worried as a club,” said Udinese’s director of sport Pasqualin.

Asamoah plays for Ghana and several nations are now wondering whether the tournament should go ahead in Angola.

“We think the best solution would be to suspend the competition, because there are and no doubt will be serious doubts over public safety,” said Pasqualin.

“I don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened if Emmanuel Adebayor had been sitting where the driver was positioned.

“There simply aren’t the conditions necessary to play.”

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