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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 8, 2010 18:09:59 GMT -1
 news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8449319.stmGunmen have opened fire with machine guns on a bus carrying Togo's football team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, wounding several players. Officials say the shooting occurred in the Angolan oil-rich territory of Cabinda, where rebels have been fighting for independence. The Angolan government called the incident an "act of terrorism". There are reports of serious injuries. Togo is due to play its first game in Cabinda on Monday. [...] Togo striker Thomas Dossevi told France's RMC radio that several players were "in a bad state". "We were machine-gunned, like dogs," he said. "At the border with Angola - machine-gunned! I don't know why. I thought it was some rebels. We were under the seats of the bus for 20 minutes, trying to get away from the bullets." The identities of those injured - who also included team staff - are not known. Togo are due to play Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in their group matches. Their first game is against Ghana. Midfielder Alaixys Romao told RMC Togo were now likely to pull out of the 16-nation tournament. "No-one wants to play," he said. "We're not capable of it. "We're thinking first of all about the health of our injured because there was a lot of blood on the ground." |
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 8, 2010 22:55:38 GMT -1
Further news... The driver of the team's bus was killed in the incident, while nine others were injured including two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.
Togo defender Serge Akakpo, who plays for Romanian club Vaslui, was hit by two bullets in the attack in Angola's oil-rich territory of Cabinda, which is due to host seven matches.
Akakpo has undergone successful surgery, while reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who plays for French club GSI Pontivy, was also wounded, with several other players requiring hospital treatment.
"I don't think any of the players will be able to sleep after this," Adebayor added. "You cannot sleep after what we have seen today - one of your team-mates with bullets in his body in front of you, crying and losing consciousness. It is very difficult." From news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8449611.stm |
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Post by El Morto La Hoja! on Jan 9, 2010 11:43:47 GMT -1
you know who did this..... arsenal fans after Adebayor..... yeah you know it....
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Post by ITFC Dudette6 on Jan 9, 2010 12:12:40 GMT -1
And they've pulled out, which isn't surprising.
Really, really terrible.
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 9, 2010 14:34:42 GMT -1
Aston Villa's Togolese midfielder Moustapha Salifou was thankful for the presence of the security team after he emerged unscathed from the incident, which happened after the team had entered Angola from neighbouring Congo, but he said he felt lucky to be alive.
He told Villa's website: "Our security people saved us. They were in two cars, about 10 of them in total, and they returned fire.
"The shooting lasted for half an hour and and I could hear the bullets whistling past me. It was like a movie.
"It was only 15 minutes after we crossed the border into Angola that we came under heavy fire. The driver was shot almost immediately and died instantly so we were just stopped on the road with nowhere to go.
"I know I am really lucky. I was in the back of the coach with Emmanuel Adebayor and one of the goalkeepers. A defender sat in front of me took two shots in the back.
"The goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale Dodo, one of my best friends, was shot in the stomach and was flown to South Africa to undergo an operation to save his life.
"It was horrific. Everybody was crying. I don't know how anyone can do this.
"I am back at our camp in Cabinda with my team-mates but we all want to go home to Togo. We have made our decision. We can't play in these circumstances and want to leave for home.
"We don't want to compete in the tournament because our assistant manager and the press officer have been killed. As a team we have made this decision."
They're trying to encourage other teams to withdraw too - I don't blame them for withdrawing, but I think the others should be left to make the decision themselves.
It's hard to say whether or not the tournament should be cancelled or not - I'm inclined to say not, though maybe moving it elsewhere (S. Africa?) would be an idea to consider. That said, if the tournament goes ahead and there isn't further violence, the organisers and players will be lauded for their bravery - if there is trouble, the organisers will be criticised massively.
Also, do the African people want it cancelled? As I understand it, the tournament is seen as being massively important over there - surely they get some say in it?
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Post by LondonWolf on Jan 9, 2010 17:38:04 GMT -1
Do you think Adebayor ran the length of the bus to celebrate infront of the gunners this time?
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 9, 2010 17:52:41 GMT -1
Interesting to read that the authorities who carried out the risk assessment insisted that teams should only fly in, with coach travel regarded as far too risky. They were right on that count, at any rate  |
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Post by derbiean on Jan 10, 2010 0:00:59 GMT -1
Do you think Adebayor ran the length of the bus to celebrate infront of the gunners this time? I know i shouldn't but i can't help it  |
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Post by CmonYouSpurs on Jan 10, 2010 14:28:02 GMT -1
well I'm not going to bother watching the African Nations Cup. 347 shots and only 3 on target, appalling!!
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Post by CmonYouSpurs on Jan 10, 2010 14:35:09 GMT -1
Togo bus attack.....
347 shots, only 3 on target.....
Didn't know Dimitar Berbatov was involved.
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Post by CmonYouSpurs on Jan 10, 2010 15:11:20 GMT -1
I reckon Group B in this year's African Cup of Nations will be the Group of Death.
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Post by Mrs H on Jan 14, 2010 11:45:15 GMT -1
Togo bus attack..... 347 shots, only 3 on target..... Didn't know Dimitar Berbatov was involved. Damn I was going to say that about Franny Jeffers! ;D |
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Forever without exception. x