World football governing body FIFA has pledged to donate $100,000 to Togo keeper Kodjovi Obilale. Obilale was seriously injured when a group of armed men believed to be rebels attacked the Togolese national football team bus as it made its way to Angola for the AFCON early in January.
Unfortunately, 3 people including the driver, assistant coach and a press officer died in the attack forcing Togo to withdraw from the championships. Obilale was initially also reported to have died in the attack however, it was later confirmed that he had only sustained gun shot wounds to his lower back and abdomen.
Obilale’s plea for help was heard as the French Football Federation offered to pay the 65,000 Euros needed to repatriate him back to France. FIFA also offered to compensate Obilale to the tune of $25,000.
However, FIFA through a statement increased that sum to $100,000.
“FIFA is to donate a sum of USD 100,000 to Togolese international goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who was seriously injured during an armed attack on his team’s bus in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda ahead of the CAF African Cup of Nations in January.
“The 25-year-old goalkeeper, formerly with French side Pontivy, was gravely wounded when the Togolese team bus was hit by gunfire on 8 January.
“The ambush took the lives of assistant coach Amelete Abalo and press officer Stanislas O’cloo, while Obilale himself is still continuing his rehabilitation.”
Photo credit: from Miriam Mannak
