Injured Togo keeper gets donation from FIFA

November 10, 2010

Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale will receive a donation of $100,000 from FIFA after being seriously injured during an armed attack on his team’s bus before the start of the African Nations Cup in January.

FIFA said in a statement on its website that president Sepp Blatter had told Obilale in September that a payment of $25,000 would be made from the governing body’s humanitarian fund but it had now decided to raise that sum.

The 25-year-old keeper, formerly with French side Pontivy, needed surgery for gunshot wounds to his back and abdomen following the attack in the Angolan province of Cabinda which killed two members of Togo’s soccer delegation and the bus driver.

Obilale is still continuing his rehabilitation, FIFA said. Togo pulled out of the Nations Cup finals following the attack and were given a four-year ban from the competition by the African Confederation of Football (CAF). The ban was overturned following mediation by FIFA.