Audio By Carbonatix
Togo coach Claude le Roy is not sure if veteran goalkeeper Kossi Agassa will play in a crucial game at the African Cup of Nations after his house in Lome was vandalized by supporters who blamed him for a loss.
Agassa was "emotionally affected" by the news and will be allowed to skip Togo's final group match against Congo in Gabon on Tuesday if he wishes, Le Roy said. Togo's hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals rest on the game.
Agassa's home in the Togolese capital was placed under police protection after it was attacked on Friday, shortly after Togo lost 3-1 to Morocco at the African Cup. Authorities said they would also watch over the property on Tuesday night, when Togo was to play Congo.
"He was really affected when he heard the news and received calls from Togo after the sad incident," Le Roy said Monday. "We are all supporting him because, after all, football is a game. Whether he wants to play or not (against Congo), I will respect his decision."
The 38-year-old goalkeeper, who has played for Togo for 19 years, had a tough time in the 3-1 loss to Morocco, conceding two goals from set-pieces and then allowing a long-range shot to skip past him for the third.
But he also helped Togo hold defending champion Ivory Coast to a 0-0 draw in their opening match.
"Agassa does not deserve such treatment," Le Roy said.
Togo has history when it comes to fans taking out their frustrations on players' houses. In 1998, Togo striker Salou Bachirou's house was damaged by people angry at what they considered his poor performances at the African Cup in Burkina Faso.
It's not just soccer fans who go too far.
In 2007, fans threw rocks and stones at India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's home and also burned effigies of him after a loss to Bangladesh at the cricket World Cup in the West Indies. Dhoni's parents were given police protection.
Togo can only qualify for the quarterfinals of the African Cup in Gabon if it beats DR Congo, the Group B leader, in Port-Gentil on Tuesday night.
Latest Stories
-
Two Ministries that have perfected failure
8 minutes -
Hospitals failed to triage Charles Amissah despite arrival alive — Committee
13 minutes -
Cocoa farmers in Amenfi Central rally against galamsey ahead of new season
16 minutes -
MoMo Ghana CEO backs golf as platform for business, community building
23 minutes -
Public confidence in Ghana’s governance institutions remains low despite strong democratic credentials — APL Barometer
26 minutes -
Charles Amissah died from medical neglect, not trauma — Akosa committee finds
28 minutes -
Housing and food prices drove April inflation as GSS reports mixed sector trends
54 minutes -
IMANI Africa defends CSO intervention in Supreme Court case challenging OSP Act
58 minutes -
Ablakwa assures support for Ghanaian nationals in UAE amid regional tensions
1 hour -
Asantehene @ 76: How Otumfuo celebrates his birthday
1 hour -
2026 U20 WWCQ: Kurt Okraku visits Black Princesses camp ahead of Uganda second leg
1 hour -
Enterprise Group PLC injects GH₵2.4m into maternal healthcare with new facility for Sunyani Hospital
1 hour -
Macroeconomic progress not reflecting in living conditions of Ghanaians — APL report
1 hour -
Annoh-Dompreh sues Bono Regional Minister, media house over cocoa smuggling claims; demands GH¢30m
1 hour -
Thoughts of a Ghanaian youthÂ
1 hour