6 min learnUp to date: Jun 18, 2026 02:14 AM IST
With their 1-1 tie towards Portugal, the Democratic Republic of Congo managed a attract what was the nation’s first look within the FIFA World Cup in 52 years, Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa scored the equaliser for Congo within the damage time within the first half after Joao Neves had given Portugal the lead within the sixth minute of the Group Okay match at Houston Stadium.
Again in 2021, Wissa had suffered an acid assault at his residence in Lorient in France, the place he was taking part in for the French Membership Lorient FC. The incident occurred days earlier than he was set to hitch Premier League facet Brentford for a report deal of 8.5 million kilos with stories later stating {that a} girl later recognized as Laetitia P posed as a fan to hunt his autograph at his residence and threw acid on the striker’s face with Wissa’s household current at his residence at the moment. It was later reported that the girl had tried to kidnap Wissa’s daughter.
Submit the incident, Wissa had informed the courtroom in Vannes, Brittany in regards to the incident and the way he nearly misplaced his eye sight. “I opened a door, and had liquid thrown in my face. I screamed and couldn’t breathe.My spouse referred to as the emergency providers, they usually informed me to get underneath the bathe to rinse my eyes. On the hospital they informed me my eyes have been burned. Somebody needed to come and rinse them out each hour. It has been a nightmare. Since then I panic each time I hear a noise, and the one factor that saved me going was understanding my youngsters are protected. I had surgical procedure on each eyes, and the physician informed me I might want to use eye drops for the remainder of my life.”The Solar had reported Wissa giving the assertion within the courtroom in Vannes, Brittany.
Congo’s Yoane Wissa (20) scores his facet’s first purpose towards Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the course of the World Cup Group Okay soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photograph/Karen Warren)
Wissa, who was born in France, had earlier performed for golf equipment like Chateauroux, Angers, Laval, Ajaccio and Lorient in France earlier than he joined Brentford in September,2021, a month after the acid assault incident. With the courtroom proceedings happening submit the incident and Wissa additionally showing on the trial, Laetitia P was later discovered responsible and was sentenced to 18 years in jail. Wissa had additional talked about how the incident delayed his transfer to Brentford.
“It took me six months earlier than I absolutely obtained my sight again. Had I not been handled so shortly, the results would have been far worse. The times afterwards have been traumatic for me. I do know I’ll by no means really feel the identical as I used to. I need justice. Why has this occurred to me? My spouse and I’ll undergo the after-effects for the remainder of our lives. This massively delayed my transfer to Brentford. I missed their pre-season, and once I arrived the supervisor (Thomas Frank) stated he had already drawn up his first group. He sympathised with me, and gave me time to adapt – however I obtained injured shortly as I wasn’t feeling nice. After the assault I reacted like a father greater than a footballer, and informed myself not less than my youngsters are unhurt though I’m blind. Since that point I’ve turn into withdrawn. I can now not tolerate being round individuals I don’t know. My youngsters typically ask me what I’ve finished to my face, however they’re too younger for me to inform them what occurred. I’ve been supplied an operation. However I’ve refused, as that is a part of my private historical past,” Wissa had informed the courtroom as reported by The Solar.
Submit the incident, the then Lorient supervisor, Christophe Pelissier had visited the striker on the hospital. “Though he was bodily and mentally affected, Yoane shortly confirmed his willpower to succeed. What struck me about him was his sturdy will and the way he by no means gave up,” Pelissier had informed BBC.
Yoane Wissa performed in a complete of 149 matches for Brentford from 2021 to 2025 and scored 49 targets. The striker then made a transfer to Newcastle United in a transfer anticipated to be near 55 million kilos. With a recurring knee damage, Wissa has since then began in solely 4 Premier League matches for Newcastle having a complete of 13 appearances for the membership within the league with just one purpose.
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He had additionally missed taking part in for Congo within the African Nations Cup to play for his membership. His solely purpose for the membership had are available his first match towards Fulham carrying the jersey quantity 9, a quantity worn by membership legend Alan Shearer. Submit the match, Wises had shared how he obtained a textual content message from Shearer. “It means quite a bit to me. I obtained a textual content message from him (Alan Shearer) earlier than the match, he wished me the perfect of luck as a result of he knew I used to be going to begin. It’s one thing particular. I do know the quantity 9 shirt is the perfect one right here, so I simply have to take pleasure in that. There may be stress that comes with it, however it’s a privilege.” Wissa had informed BBC Radio submit the match.