Togo footballer may be paralysed following collision

Samuel Asamoah, a football midfielder from Togo is reported to have broken his neck following an accident that occurred while he was playing, according to BBC News on October 9th.

The Togolese 31-year-old spent most his senior career playing as a midfielder in the Belgian leagues, however 2024 marked the beginning of a stint in the Chinese Professional Football League (CFL) after Asamoah moved to second-tier Chinese club, Guanxi Pingguo. Asamoah was also selected as a representative for Togo’s national football team, making six appearances for his country on the international stage.

The footballer was reported to have crashed head-first into a pitch-side LED advertising panel following being shoved by opposition midfielder, Zhang Zhixiong, during a match with fellow Chinese League One team, Chongqing Tonglianglong. Zhixiong received a yellow card following his shove.

Guangxi Pingguo stated that Asamoah suffered multiple fractures in his neck, as well as extensive nerve damage. The club have expressed concern for the footballer’s condition, stating the possibility of “high-level paraplegia” being present.

It is strongly believed the injury occurred from this head-first collision, however this has not been confirmed by the club or medical professionals at this point.

The club further announced that Asamoah has undergone surgery following the injury, and currently is in stable condition: “His recovery progress will be announced in due course after follow-up examinations.”

Tragic accidents such as the one that happened to Asamoah are common in the world of football and end the prospering careers of many young talented players. Young Moroccan prospect, Oussama Hamham, died following the Algerian coast guard shooting at a migrant boat. What’s more, three people died after they fell from the stand of an Algerian stadium.

These tragic events highlight an unfortunate loss of youth and talent, while also bringing into question how football stadiums and venues can be designed to provide greater safety to both players and fans.