Togolese international footballer set to play again after breaking neck
Football
By
AFP
| Oct 28, 2025
A Togolese international footballer who broke his neck during a match in China has made an extraordinary recovery and may return to playing in a matter of months, his agent and club told AFP on Tuesday.
Samuel Asamoah, 31, ploughed head-first into a pitch-side LED advertising panel after being shoved by an opponent while jostling for the ball earlier this month.
The midfielder's club, second-tier Guangxi Pingguo, said at the time he had fractures in his neck and nerve damage and was at risk of "high-level paraplegia" -- warning his "career may also be seriously affected".
But Asamoah's agent Avram Marius told AFP in a message that "he is ok" and "doing the recovery".
"In two months he can play normally," he added.
READ MORE
This is what it will take for Kenya to gain first-world status by 2055
IATA warns high air travel taxes threat to Kenya's aviation edge
Poor credit culture deters Kenya's lending transition
China's Chery eyes Kenyan auto market with low-cost SUVs
Rwanda's green exchange window presents new funding opportunities for the region
New park fees killing our business, say tour operators
Kabarak University, NCBA partner to boost growth of SMEs
Safaricom injects Sh26b into its Ethiopia unit as profit hits Sh43b
Engineers urged to drive nation's future through innovation and infrastructure
Construction industry in Kenya bounces back, driven by new innovations
His club was more cautious and put Asamoah's return to football at an estimated "three to six months".
"Currently (Asamoah) is doing some basic strength recovery," a Guangxi representative who wished not to be named told AFP in a separate message.
In a video posted by his team on Friday, Asamoah looked to be walking with ease as he visited a fruit shop.
He shook hands as he met people at an elderly care centre.
"I always thank God for the gift of life," said Asamoah, wearing a neck brace, in the video.
Asamoah spent most of his career in Belgium before moving to China last year.
He has played six times for Togo, according to football statistics website transfermarkt.com.