Togolese goalkeeper gets $100,000 from FIFA

  1. Posted on Tuesday 9 November 2010 - 15:55
    Gbentil
    Image of Gbentil
    Glorea Bentil, AfricaNews reporter in Accra, Ghana Credit: FIFA
    The World's football governing body, FIFA, is set to donate a sum of $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.
    Togo Goalkeeper
    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.

    Shortly after the attack in January, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter sent a letter of condolence, and support for Obilale, to the Togolese Football Federation. “I wish to express both FIFA’s and my own sincere condolences and steadfast support during this time of sadness and immense pain,” read part of the letter. “We also send your goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale our best wishes for a full recovery.”

    Towards the end of September, the FIFA President exchanged correspondence with Obilale, explaining that FIFA had “decided with immediate effect that a payment of USD 25,000 would be made from our humanitarian fund. In addition, we will continue to study this dossier.” He also wished the goalkeeper “lots of courage and strength”. FIFA has now decided to raise that sum to $100,000.

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