A Burkina Faso player is fighting for his life after suddenly falling on the beach during free-up training with his Guinean premier club AC Horoya.
Bassirou Ouedraogo was left gasping for air as he fainted on the beach a day after his club’s victory over Togolese outfit Togo Port in a Total Caf Champions League group game.
The 25-year-old forward, who joined Horoya September 2016, fell neck first on the ground during light warm-ups.
Gaffer Victor Zvunka had seen his striker’s sudden fall but thought the player was pulling a prank as rest of the squad continued the drill. However, teammate Mohamed Djibo sensed danger and quickly rushed to his rescue, according to Soufiane Souare, the club’s president.
Doctors say the Burkinabe will be requiring emergency surgery within six hours with the player in critical condition.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“He (the doctor) told us that something had moved around the player’s neck and that he had to be operated on urgently within six hours. So we hope it doesn’t affect his mobility,”[/perfectpullquote]
he said.
He continued: “According to the doctor, Bassirou was really lucky because, according to him, these sort of accidents lead directly to death. He was almost unconscious when we saw him, he moved his head anyway. We decided to transfer him directly to a large clinic for immediate surgery. As I speak to you, he must be undergoing surgery. We hope he will recover quickly and will continue to play football.”
Ouedraogo wouldn’t be available for the 15 times Guinean champions’ game against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns billed for May 22nd 2017.
