Sidibe: I feared for my life

Sidibe: Feared for life

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Mamady Sidibe has revealed that he feared for his life after being attacked by Togo fans following Mali's 2-0 African Nations Cup qualifying victory.

The Stoke City forward was amongst several Mali players who needed treatment after riots broke out at the Kegue Stadium in Togo.

A pitch invasion at the end of the game led to Sidibe being punched to the ground, knocking him unconscious.

Destroyed

When he regained consciousness he was pushed through a window, severing veins in his arm.

"I thought I was going to die," he told The Mail on Sunday.

"I was sitting in an ambulance outside the stadium, feeling dizzy because I was losing so much blood.

"The police moved me into an army ambulance but the crowd destroyed that as well. They took me back inside the stadium for my safety. It was two hours before I could get help.

"They told me I had been cut millimetres from my artery. I was that close to dying. It was a miracle nobody was killed."

Emotional

The African Nations Cup begins in January but Sidibe is undecided as to whether he will take part.

He said: "When I got back here and hugged my wife and baby son, it was so emotional. I feel lucky to have survived.

"I have to think about whether I will play for my country again. I go to Africa to play football, not to put my life at risk.

"I want to get fit again and we will see. African fans don't understand losing. But I have never seen them come on to the pitch and beat the players."