Cousin of Liverpool star Naby Keita survives horror coach crash on way to a match in Guinea… despite African country’s football authorities announcing he was one of nine dead
- Naby Keita’s cousin has survived a horrific bus crash in Guinea on Thursday
- But the Professional Football League of Guinea claimed Almamy Keita had died
- Keita was part of the Etoile de Guinee team travelling to play a match in Kankan
- Naby Keita posted a tribute online, saying he was ‘shocked and heartbroken’
The cousin of Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has survived a horrific bus crash in Guinea, despite the country’s football authorities announcing he had died.
A statement from the governing body said that Almamy Keita was one of the nine players from second division side Etoile de Guinee who were killed in the incident on Thursday.
It has been reported that a further 19 people were injured in the crash with 17 of those considered to be in a serious condition.
The cousin of Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has survived a horrific bus crash in Guinea
Nine players from Etoile de Guinee were killed in the incident on their way to a match
The bus sustained major damage during the crash that left a further 19 people injured
But Fella Sport Management, who represent Almamy, have told the Liverpool Echo: ‘We are happy to announce that Almamy Keita is alive and currently hospitalised.’
Local reporter Amadou Makadji also tweeted that although Almamy Keita was involved in the crash, he did not die.
He tweeted: ‘Almamy Keita is the cousin of Naby Keita and he survived the terrible accident that occurred on Thursday.
‘He did not die contrary to the information given by the FAA and relayed by several local and international media. RIP to victims and speedy recovery to injured.’
The crash took place just outside the city of Mamou, located 250 kilometres away from capital Conakry, with the team on their way to play their first league game of the season in Kankan.
Keita, who is expected to play for Liverpool against Bournemouth on Saturday posted an emotional tribute to those involved in the crash on social media saying he was ‘heartbroken’.
Keita posted a tribute on social media, saying he was ‘shocked, sad and heartbroken’
Keita (L), pictured in training on Thursday, is due to play for Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday
The 25-year-old wrote: ‘I am shocked, sad and heartbroken at this terrible news.
‘I send my sincere condolences to all families of the victims, as well as the whole sporting family of Guinea. Rest in perfect peace guys.’
The Ligue Guineenne de Football Professionnel confirmed the nine victims as; Almamy Keita, Mohamed Lamine Toure, Kabinet Camara, Mohamed Damaro Camara, Ousmane Sylla, Ibrahima Sylla, Mohamed Lamine Camara, Serdouba Ginola Bangoura and Facinet Mara.
Antonio Souare, the head of the Guinea Football Federation, vowed to hold a day of mourning with all teams to wear black armbands on a date yet to be confirmed.
The crash was the second involving a Guinean football team in 2019. Three people died in January when Wakriya AC’s bus collided with a stationary truck just outside Conakry.