ACTUALITE |
03.11.2004
Crashes claim African footballers
In recent times, several African footballers have hit the headlines for being involved in car crashes rather than their prowess on the pitch.
While some have emerged unscathed from their accidents, others have not been so lucky.
The latest high-profile victim was former Ivory Coast striker Ahmed Ouattara who was hospitalised on Monday after his car collided with a public taxi in the Ivorian capital Abidjan.
On the same day in Swaziland, the authorities were taking action against Mhlambanyatsi Rovers player Sabelo "Shushu" Shilubanetook for drink-driving even though he did not hold a valid driving licence.
Shilubane, a Swazi international, was arrested three weeks earlier and received a five-month sentence which he escaped by paying a fine of about US$30.
These incidents, however, are just the latest in a long trail of car crashes involving African footballers in recent times.
Cameroon forward Samuel Eto`o Fils was unhurt after his car span off a road in Mallorca earlier this month.
The African Footballer of the Year was lucky to walk away unscathed from the crash despite his Mercedes being badly damaged in the incident.
Another player who had a narrow escape recently was Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
The car that the Enyimba stopper was travelling in somersaulted twice as it swerved to avoid a motorbike.
While Enyeama only sustained bruises, the two people on the motorbike were killed.
Last year, Cameroon`s Valery Mezague, who is now playing for Portsmouth in England, was hospitalized after sustaining head injuries when his car crashed in France.
Three players from Zimbabwe`s CAPS United died in a car crash in March
Others have not been so lucky recently.
In August 2003, the then top scorer in South Africa - Lesley Manyathela - was tragically killed.
Manyathela was driving home after scoring in a league game for his side Orlando Pirates when his car overturned near his home town.
This year also has seen three fatal accidents involving football teams in Zimbabwe.
In March, three players from Zimbabwean side CAPS United died after the car they were travelling in hit the pillar of a bridge and caught fire.
In May, a bus carrying Dynamos players rammed into the back of a stationary truck, which had no lights, and the bus driver and his assistant died.
Left-back Francis Madziva, who made five appearances for Zimbabwe last year, fractured both legs in the accident.
The week before that accident, three members of first division side Golden Kopje died when their bus hit a haulage truck.
The coach, medic and one player died, while nine others were also hospitalised.
One can only hope that this tragic run comes to a swift end.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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