Hapoel Tel Aviv former Nigerian star Ibezito Ogbonna narrowly escaped death after a rocket launched by the Hamas Separatist group shattered through his house in Ashdod, Israel, earlier this week.
This incident came in the face of the ongoing war between Hamas and the Israeli government over the occupation of the port town of Ashdod.
“Zito” told SCORENigeria that the rocket came down heavily on his house, throwing from his dining table, where he was having his breakfast, and crashed him into his sitting room as shrapnel of broken window glasses injured his fingers and knees
“Zito” was rushed in an ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was treated and discharged later that day.
The former Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa striker, who now lives with his family in Israel, was later back to the hospital the following day after complaining of head pains where doctors scanned his head and brain.
“The rockets had been raining as we watched on TV, not knowing my house was the next target,” “Zito continued.
“I was the only one hit while my family was in safe hiding and I thank God for that.
“The effect of the bombing was devastating as several buildings were affected and lives lost.
“But thank God I’m alive to tell the story myself
“My family and friends back home in Nigeria were terrified and calling when they saw the live videos I did shortly after the rockets came down on my house and in the hospital.
“I want to say that I appreciate all the love and care people showed me in this hard times and I love them all.
“My father was philosophically calm when news reached him back home and almost immediately I rang him and we spoke.
“The family is calm and happy now that I’m out of the hospital and very fine.”
Meanwhile, his former club Hapoel Tel Avi and thousands of his fans all over the world have continued to lend their support for their loved star and even launched a GoFundMe account to raise money for the their retired legend.
Ogbonna is still considered one of the best foreign players ever to wear the red and white colours of the multiple-time Israeli league champions.
He will be remembered for his incredible super sub roles and his memorable goals including the added time goal to beat Vincent Enyeama’s Bnei Yehuda in the 2006 Israeli State Cup final to ensure his side’s title win after a 37-year wait
