Machete Attack Shatters Sudanese-born Soccer Star's Dream

MELBOURNE, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- A Sudanese-born soccer star's dream of representing Australia was in tatters when he became the victim of a bloody machete attack here in April.

Nelly Yoa, 24, was on the verge of signing for A-League side Melbourne Victory when he was savaged by a 20-strong mob in an unprovoked attack outside a Sudanese beauty pageant after-party, the Herald Sun newspaper reports.

He was hacked with a machete to his arms and legs after trying to come to the aid of his friend.

He spent 13 days in hospital, required 170 stitches, suffered broken bones - and doctors said one deep laceration to his left knee was 2cm away from a nerve that could have caused permanent paralysis, the newspaper said.

Yoa has metal plates in his elbow, still requires physiotherapy after losing feeling in his right hand and sees a psychologist due to suicidal thoughts triggered by the brawl last April in the Melbourne suburb of Braybrook.

Judge Michael Tinney in the County Court described the attack as "a terrifying event. . . by a number of men on a vulnerable victim. . . a victim who was hopelessly outnumbered".

Despite this, the attacker, Deyom Machok, 21, of St Albans, was sentenced to just three months in prison.

Yoa, disappointed with the punishment, is now campaigning to have the legal classification of machetes upgraded. Currently they are listed as a "dangerous article" - the same as a screwdriver, wrench or sports equipment.

"The Government needs to introduce tougher sentencing and heavier fines and the courts should be sending out a message by imposing longer sentences to the perpetrators who commit such crimes," the 24-year-old is quoted by the newspaper as saying.

"I had not been drinking and I was not even the intended victim, but the attack has transformed my life.

"The three-month sentence is outrageous and I'm just shattered by the outcome. It's a slap on the wrist. When he was sentenced, he smiled at me. He'll wear this sentence as a badge of honour. I came to Australia from Sudan nine years ago to escape violence -- but it is here where I have been attacked. The law needs to change."

The promising winger was selected for a seven-day trial with 2010 English Premier League and European Champions League winners Chelsea this year on the back of his form before the attack.

"I flew over and didn't tell them about the attack because I wanted to show them how committed I was and what I could do," he said.

"There was six of us selected and I was the only one from Australia but I missed out because of my injuries.

"I met Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda, Mikel Obi. They were all so encouraging. I'm using that as my motivation. I still believe I can achieve my dream of playing for Australia.

"I have my eyes on the 2014 World Cup. I know I can do it."

Yoa trains with Melbourne Victory five days a week.