Moustapha Salifou has given his account of the 'horrific' attack on the Togo team bus.
Narrow escape for Aston Villa midfielder
Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou has revealed he feared for his life during Friday's 'horrific' terrorist attack on the Togo team bus.
The national team were travelling to their African Cup of Nations training base in Cabinda, Angola when gunmen opened fire on their bus.
Salifou and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor narrowly escaped injury in the half-hour ordeal but saw close friend Kodjovi Obilale shot in the chest.
The goalkeeper is now fighting for his life in a South African hospital but the team's driver, first-team coach and press officer were all reportedly killed in the ordeal.
Saifou told Villa's
official website: "It was only 15 minutes after we crossed into Angola that the coach came under heavy fire from rebels. The driver of the coach was shot almost immediately and died instantly, so we were just stopped on the road with nowhere to go.
"Our security people saved us. They were in two separate cars, about 10 of them in total and they returned fire. The shooting lasted for half an hour and I could hear the bullets whistling past me. It was like a movie.
"I know I am really lucky. I was in the back of the coach with Emmanuel Adebayor and one of the goalkeepers.
"A defender who was sat in front of me took two shots in the back. The goalkeeper, Obilale, one of my best friends, was shot in the chest and stomach area and he has been flown to South Africa to undergo an operation to save his life.
"It was horrific. Everybody was crying. I couldn't stay in control myself and I cried when I saw the injuries to my friend."
