Kodjovi “Dodji” Obilale
“Beyond the trauma unit and the screen of green trees, the row rages on. But then as far as Kodjovi Obilale, who is hooked up to a ventilation machine, it might be happening on another planet. He has the simple imperative to live – and perhaps one day discover with some wonderment how it was he became nothing less than a symbol of both the anguish and the hope of a continent which sees sport not as a problem but deliverance.” (Independent)

World Cup hopefuls suffer in Angola
“It may have taken almost a week but on Thursday, the fifth day of the Nations Cup in Angola, one of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers finally registered a win. Prior to Algeria’s 1-0 win over Mali in Luanda, the best result garnered by a South Africa-bound side was the goalless draw achieved by Ivory Coast against Burkina Faso on Tuesday. The Algerians had opened with a shock 3-0 defeat by minnows Malawi, Cameroon went down 1-0 to unfancied Gabon, Nigeria led, but then lost, 3-1 to defending champions Egypt, while Ghana’s start to the tournament was delayed by the events in Cabinda.” (ESPN)

Caf acknowledge Malawi complaint
“The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has referred an official complaint it has received from Malawi to the local organising committee (Cocan) following Thursday night’s defeat to Angola. Malawi coach, Kinnah Phiri, told the BBC his team had been ‘demoralised’ by being refused access to training facilities on three separate occasions.” (BBC)