Shot Togo ‘keeper stuck in South Africa: club

Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, injured in a rebel attack at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, is stuck in South Africa with unpaid medical bills, the president of the player’s French club said Thursday.

Separatist rebels in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda fired on the Togo bus on January 8, two days before the tournament started, killing the team’s assistant coach and its squad spokesman. Obilale, shot in the back and abdomen, was airlifted to South Africa for treatment the following day.

“As the host nation, Angola promised to pick up the bills but nothing has been done,” said Philippe Le Mestre, president of the French club Pontivy where Obilale plays.

“The player has been given the medical all clear and was supposed to leave on Wednesday but the plane is blocked at the base.”

He said Obilale was to be repatriated by special flight organised by SOS International at a cost of 65,000 euros but an official signature from Angola needed to secure approval for the flight had not been forthcoming.

“Angolan officials visited him in hospital last week, bringing perfume and flowers for his companion and for his sister but that was it,” said Le Mestre.

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who escaped injury when the Togo bus came under fire, paid for the women’s trip to South Africa to visit Obilale.