Retired Nigerian footballer Ibezito Ogbonna is recuperating after sustaining minor injuries after his apartment in the Israeli city of Ashdod was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza last week.
The
38-year-old, who won the Israeli Cup with Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006 and 2007, was
at home with his wife and two young daughters when the building suffered a
direct hit.
According to
BBC Sport Africa, Ogbonna’s family were unhurt, but the former Enyimba striker
was injured and taken to hospital after injuries he sustained during the
explosion, following recent fighting between Israel and Gaza.
“I am
extremely lucky to be alive after this rocket was fired and it’s third time
lucky for me after being involved in a car crash and a horrible robbery
incident in Nigeria,” Ogbonna told BBC Sport Africa.
“We were all
aware of the attempt (possible strike) and we always get the warning signs
about possible missiles. We often hear as sirens echoed across the city streets
which tends to prompt people to rush to a shelter.
“On this day,
I was having breakfast and I heard the wailing siren. Normally, we’d run to the
shelter because every house has its own shelter. I felt it’s the normal
warning, but within seconds it turned out to be an unlucky day for me.
“I heard the
loud bang of the rocket and felt the immediate impact, I was thrown into the
air and it took me from my dining room to my living room.
“I could see
glasses and other objects flying around me. I hit the ground, I stood up to
look around for my family. They were very lucky too, my wife had taken cover
with my daughters, I think one of the doors landed on her.
“I could see
the whole building was gone. We are talking about a four-storey building with
about 30 people. The security doors between my kitchen and living room ripped
out and everything totally wrecked.
“Cars were
smashed and it was then I realised I had a cut and my knee was hurting badly
before the paramedics took me in an ambulance to the hospital.
“I was in the
hospital for a few hours. I was treated and had different tests just to check
that everything was okay with me. They weren’t sure I was fine considering what
had happened.”
Ogbonna
added, “It’s difficult to explain the impact of what I saw. Coming out of this
alive was a complete miracle. We are talking about the same attack that has
left several people badly wounded.
“We’ve had
casualties since this thing started, but you are just grateful to be alive and
not listed among the dead.
“A lot of
families have been left homeless with their possessions destroyed and a place
they’ve always called home flattened.”
With no home
to return to, the Ogbonnas and 13 other families are now staying at a hotel as
the Israeli government look to resettle them.
Ogbonna said
fans of his former Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv have rallied round to support
him.
He scored 40
goals in 132 appearances for Happen, Israel’s second most successful side, and
the club’s supporters have launched a fund-raising campaign to help him get
back on his feet.
“Hapoel Tel Aviv fans have been incredibly amazing, without my knowledge they had started a fund raising to help support me,” Ogbonna added.
“As soon as
the news broke that my apartment was hit, they started reaching out and calling
my phone. I didn’t ask them for anything yet they were offering to help.
“I remember
one of them got my contact and I think he put it out on the fan page for other
supporters to reach out. Messages of love, prayers, and unbelievable support
from a club I left over a decade ago.
“Some were
telling me to come over to theirs if I had no place to stay. They’ve gone out
to buy stuff and clothes for me and my family.
“I was
getting deliveries of different things at the hotel without even knowing about
it. I don’t even know these guys. It’s a massive love and I can’t thank them
enough.
“It’s another
proof that wherever you find yourself as a footballer or whatever you do, be a
good person and respect everyone because you never know when life will bring
you back again.”
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