Follow Us on Google
He won’t be patrolling Canada’s midfield for Wednesday’s big World Cup match against Switzerland, but Ismael Kone will still be a strong presence at Vancouver Stadium.
But it’s not just Canadians who are rallying around the injured young star.
In photos shared by the Qatar Football Association, Assim Madibo — the player who ended Kone’s World Cup — recently paid a visit with the fallen 24-year-old to check on his health.
Kone, sitting in a wheelchair, was seen smiling as he met with Madibo, who was accompanied by Qatar’s minister of sports, Khalifa Al Thani.
It was Madibo’s fierce tackle in the second half of Canada’s 6-0 win that broke Kone’s leg in two places. A key player for Canada, Kone was stretchered off the field and had surgery to repair the injury.
Kone has since rejoined the Canadian team and will be a huge rallying force for Wednesday’s finale of Group B play, which will decide who finishes first.
Television image of Madibo at the time showed how stricken he felt at injuring the Canadian. The Qatari player was given a red card, ending his night as Canada cruised to victory.
The injury triggered some high emotions for the remainder of the contest, including a testy exchange between Canadian coach Jesse Marsch and his Qatari counterpart following the final whistle.
