Liverpool star Naby Keita’s home targeted by angry youths after AFCON injury fears blamed on ‘witchcraft’
NABY KEITA was the centre of an unusual storm in Guinea after a group of youths besieged the Liverpool star's home amid claims of witchcraft.
The gang reportedly believed that a member of the midfielder's family had performed an act that affected his ability to perform for his country.
Injuries have indeed set Keita back recently and he incurred a fresh knock in Sunday's African Cup of Nations win over Burundi.
Following that, it was confirmed that he had flown back to Liverpool for "consultation" on treatment.
With the country's star player potentially not fit to play in their last-16 tie, a group of young fans vented their frustration.
They targeted the Keita family home in Conarky, the capital of Guinea.
quote a police source as saying: “We sent a team of policemen to a house at Coleah in Conakry to restore calm after some youths attempted acts of riotous conduct in a house believed to be the family home of footballer Naby Keita."
Reports locally detail the belief that witchcraft, allegedly performed by a relative of Keita, was believed to be behind the incident.
The Liverpool player missed the back-end of last season due to a groin problem but travelled to Egypt for the Cup of Nations regardless.
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Battling with fitness problems throughout the competition so far, his return to England set alarm bells ringing.
A Guinea team spokesperson told BBC: "He consulted with medical staff [at Liverpool] and they asked him to come back for two days.
"The idea is that he is here to play in the last 16 but I don't think we can say he will 100%."