Togo Footballers Shot in Ambush

[Kinell]

This is just shocking.

Adebayor's interview on the BBC is interesting...he gives his account of the horrors that unfolded.

On a side note I could listen to him talk all day.......what a groovy way of speaking.

groovy

[saj]

Its not just terrorism though. Criminals will travel to SA to rob tourists. Armed robberies will happen probably quite regularly.

The amount of crime in that country is ridiculous. It's probably every criminals wet dream having so many foreign and vulnerable people entering the country at an event such as a World Cup. And who knows what the terrorists are planning. An event such as the World Cup in that continent is the perfect breeding ground to carry some act of terrorism.

You have to ask yourself why FIFA chose South Africa? Obviously Political reasons and for breaking down the barrier as a World Cup has never been held there. But by breaking down the barrier they're putting peoples lives at risk. Again, I don't mean to cause offence to any Africans but I would never hold such an event in that Continent - especially in this day and age with all these Terrorists and Criminals roaming this world.

[Shaggy]

Posted on my Facebook feed...

Does anybody know if Adebayor ran the length of the bus and celebrated in front of the gunners this time???

[little dave hedgehog]

...those aren't kazoos

[MrsB]

I remember Zaire.

Me too, and the song "In Zaire". I wish I didn't.

[Shaggy]

Was it Zaire who had that loony in the World Cup some years ago who ran out of a defensive wall before the ref blew for a free-kick to be taken and ****ing leathered the ball down the other end of the pitch?

[Shaggy]

This is it...gets me every time

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDXkVGpMpc"]YouTube- Brazil -- Zaire, Football WC 1974[/ame]

[javier_monsterano]

Posted on my Facebook feed...

Quote:
Does anybody know if Adebayor ran the length of the bus and celebrated in front of the gunners this time???

This is it...gets me every time

YouTube- Brazil -- Zaire, Football WC 1974

[Lee]

This is it...gets me every time

YouTube- Brazil -- Zaire, Football WC 1974

I remember that clip from my 'Nick Hancock's Football Nightmares' VHS from years and years ago

[SK]

The amount of crime in that country is ridiculous. It's probably every criminals wet dream having so many foreign and vulnerable people entering the country at an event such as a World Cup. And who knows what the terrorists are planning. An event such as the World Cup in that continent is the perfect breeding ground to carry some act of terrorism.

You have to ask yourself why FIFA chose South Africa? Obviously Political reasons and for breaking down the barrier as a World Cup has never been held there. But by breaking down the barrier they're putting peoples lives at risk. Again, I don't mean to cause offence to any Africans but I would never hold such an event in that Continent - especially in this day and age with all these Terrorists and Criminals roaming this world.

oh ffs, so there shoudn't have been any competitions in europe while there was a war in the balkans, and the world cup in asia? i'm sure there was a war on that continent at the time aswell, probably in south america too.

i'm sure they'll do all they can to ensure the safety for people going down there, but ffs, terrorists? really?

Was it Zaire who had that loony in the World Cup some years ago who ran out of a defensive wall before the ref blew for a free-kick to be taken and ****ing leathered the ball down the other end of the pitch?

yeah, they were "promised" an execution if they lost more than 3:0 against brazil by their dictator, so i think its pretty understandable the players were a little bit nervous.

[saj]

oh ffs, so there shoudn't have been any competitions in europe while there was a war in the balkans, and the world cup in asia? i'm sure there was a war on that continent at the time aswell, probably in south america too.

i'm sure they'll do all they can to ensure the safety for people going down there, but ffs, terrorists? really?

Was there an issue in terms of security in the remaining countries in Europe whilst the was going on in the Balkans - the answer is No. And it was a civil war - they have no reason to say go and walk over to Germany/france/Italy and start a war there.

Security is a massive issue in a vast majority of the countries in Africa - you may call that ignorant stereotyping but it's a fact. Did you not hear about what happened with the Togo team? Do you think that's an isolated incident? And South Africa is one of the worst countries for crime in the World. I highly doubt that the criminals are going to take a month off during the World Cup. The World Cup is one big window of opportunity for Criminals and Terrorists and I think FIFA will regret holding the World Cup there.

And if what JavierMonsterano says is correct about Al Qaeda having links into some of the African countries, then that is a major cause for concern. Are you aware of that fact that sporting events such as the Olympic Games have been subjected to Terrorism acts in the past?

[javier_monsterano]

Was there an issue in terms of security in the remaining countries in Europe whilst the was going on in the Balkans - the answer is No. And it was a civil war - they have no reason to say go and walk over to Germany/france/Italy and start a war there.

Security is a massive issue in a vast majority of the countries in Africa - you may call that ignorant stereotyping but it's a fact. Did you not hear about what happened with the Togo team? Do you think that's an isolated incident? And South Africa is one of the worst countries for crime in the World. I highly doubt that the criminals are going to take a month off during the World Cup. The World Cup is one big window of opportunity for Criminals and Terrorists and I think FIFA will regret holding the World Cup there.

And if what JavierMonsterano says is correct about Al Qaeda having links into some of the African countries, then that is a major cause for concern. Are you aware of that fact that sporting events such as the Olympic Games have been subjected to Terrorism acts in the past?

I hope FIFA and South Africa get this right.
security needs to be Tight as possible.

[saj]

I hope FIFA and South Africa get this right.
security needs to be Tight as possible.

It's up to South Africa - FIFA can't really do anything except say what they want in terms of security and pray to all the various gods of all the different religions that they deliver. Given that it is a country that is so prevalent to crime, I just don't see how they can make security so tight in such a small space of time.

[EwarWoo]

Adebayor apparently ran the length of the bus to celebrate with the gunners.

A bit unusual but, a tournament normally ENDS with a shoot out, not STARTS with one.










Too soon?

In all seriousness but this is totally bloody shocking. Sporting events need to be held away from these regions.

I know they like to give it to developing nations to encourage their sporting development, but as much as I love sport it's not worth getting killed over.

Security issues should mean an immediate removal of the proposal.

[Fivex]

TOGO BACK


Togo 'will play in Africa Cup of Nations'
Players in shock after the attack (video grab)
Togolese officials had said the team would return because it was in shock

Togo's football team has decided to play in the African Nations Cup, even though the government withdrew it after a deadly attack on Friday, players say.

Thomas Dossevi told the AFP news agency the players wanted to stay in Angola in memory of the three people who were killed when rebels fired on their bus.

L'Equipe quoted Alaixys Romao as saying the team would not leave like cowards.

Togo has demanded Angola explain why it was not warned of the dangers of travel in Cabinda, where the bus was ambushed.

Angolan officials had earlier expressed astonishment that the team had travelled there by road from their base in the Republic of Congo.

'Unanimous decision'

On Saturday, Togo government spokesman Pascal Bodjona said the players were returning home because they were in a state of shock.

"We cannot in such a dramatic circumstance continue in the Africa Cup of Nations," he told reporters.

Manchester City, the club of Togo's captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, had already said on its website that he was returning to the UK.

But later two players said they were determined to stay.

"We are all heartbroken, it is no longer a party, but we want to show our national colours, our values and that we are men," Thomas Dossevi said.

"It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities," he added.

CABINDA
Map
Oil-rich province cut off from the rest of Angola by DR Congo
Flec rebels fought for region's independence
Rebels laid down arms in 2006 but some unrest continues
Angola had dismissed concerns about staging games there

Togo footballers tell of attack
Optimism to horror after attack
Send us your comments

Alaixys Romao also said the decision had been unanimous.

"We have just had a meeting of the whole delegation and we will be on the pitch on Monday to face Ghana," he said.

"People have died for the Africa Cup of Nations, others have been injured. We can't let them down and leave like cowards," he added.

"If we stay here it's for them, but also not to give any satisfaction to the rebels. Our government does not necessarily agree with us but we are all determined to play this competition."

When contacted on Saturday night, a spokesman for the tournament organisers, the Confederation of African Football (Caf), could not confirm the reports, saying: "I don't know. I am not aware so far. I've not heard any communication."

Caf had earlier said it understood Togo's withdrawal, but that the six other matches scheduled to be played in Cabinda would go ahead.

Security guarantee

In Friday's attack, several gunmen opened fire on the Togo team bus shortly after it had crossed from the Republic of Congo into the enclave of Cabinda.

Angolan police escort the Ivory Coast football team in Cabinda (9 Jan 2010)
Angola has increased security for all teams and at all venues

Adebayor told the BBC the players and support staff were trapped on the bus for 30 minutes as Angolan police fought the attackers. They eventually had to flee under fire to get into the vehicles sent to rescue them, he said.

Togolese officials said the driver had died at the scene, while media officer Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo died later in hospital.

The separatist rebel Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), which has fought for independence for several decades but entered into a ceasefire in 2006, later claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Angolan government, which had hoped the tournament would show how well it had recovered from the fighting, called the incident an "act of terrorism".

CAF president Issa Hayatou said he had received a guarantee that security would be increased for all teams and at all venues.

The bi-annual Africa Cup of Nations begins with the hosts playing Mali in Luanda at 1900 GMT.

Venue and dates: Angola, 10-31 January Coverage: Final and semi-finals live on BBC TV, BBC World Service and commentaries on BBC Sport website. Live commentary on opening match on BBC World Service and BBC Sport website