Congo's hero Yoanne Wissa once survived a life-threatening incident

XtraTime Newsdesk: Yoanne Wissa will be the hero of the day at Kampala after he scored the equaliser against Portugal in their World Cup opener. Everybody knows his contributions for Newcastle United, Brentford and his national team, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, things could have gone terribly wrong for him five years back of proper care wasn't taken. 

When Wissa was still at Lorient on July 1st, 2021, a lady hurled acid in the player's face and tried to abduct the DR Congo international's daughter in his house. Wissa had immediate eye surgery due to his serious injuries. The next day, the attacker used acid to harm another woman. 

According to AFP, the attacker said that her daughter was in the hospital and that she was pregnant. Then, in order to support her story, she went out and abducted a baby girl. On July 3, 2021, she was swiftly discovered and taken into custody. Before acknowledging some of the facts, she rejected others. The attacker, who claims to have heard "inner voices" since she was a teenager, could spend the rest of her life behind bars. The attacker was apprehended by the police, and in January 2025, she was sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempted homicide and kidnapping.

This incident took place during a crucial stage in his career. He was going to move to Brentford from Lorient. Yet, he remained determined. Lorient manager, Christophe Pelissier, visited the forward in hospital a day after the assault."Even though he was physically and mentally affected, Yoane quickly showed his determination to succeed," he said, "What struck me about him was his strong will and how he never gave up."

His former teammate Pierre-Yves Hamel said that he didn't complain after the attack. He moved forward and now he has become Congo's hero in this World Cup.