African Cup of Nations - Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale 'conscious'
Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale is recovering at a South African hospital from injuries sustained when the team's bus was attacked in Angola, a medical official has said.
"He is conscious and in a stable condition. He is fully receptive he understands where he is. We will still be taking him to theatre, he has obviously suffered some internal injuries," Doctor Richard Friedland, who is treating the player at Milpark hospital in Johannesburg, told Talk Radio 702.
Obilale was shot in the chest and stomach during the attack in the Angola province of Cabinda, and was initially reported to have died by several news agencies and his team-mate Jonathan Ayite.
Two members of the Togolese national soccer delegation died after Friday's gun attack on the bus as it travelled to the African Cup of Nations in Angola.
The attack, which also killed the bus driver, came five months before South Africa hosts the World Cup, the first African nation to hold the world's biggest single-sport event.
There has been uncertainty as to whether the Togo team will take part in the tournament, which runs from January 10 to 31.
Togo's government said on Saturday it was pulling the team out in response to the assault, although squad members have been quoted as saying they are determined to play.
"Togo are staying in the competition. I have called the players and they want to play. We are now awaiting official confirmation from the Togolese government," said Kodzo Samlan, a press officer at the Confederation of African Football.
He added that Togo team captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, was with the team.
A junior official at the Angolan sports ministry confirmed the Togo team was waiting for an announcement from Togo's president at about 1400 GMT to find out whether they are to take part in the tournament.
Angola's first game in Cabinda was scheduled against Ghana on Monday.
Reuters
