Togo leave African Nations Cup

Togo leave African Nations Cup

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8449611.stm

What a tragedy. Other teams considering leaving now as well. Security is obviously very poor if something like this can happen.

It really is a shocking start to the most important year in African football.
Buffon II2010-01-10 08:43:58

Disgraceful that things like this can happen, but unfortunately it's the reality.

What a shame..... Africa better up their security for the WC.

"The prime minister considers the incident in Cabinda as an isolated act and repeated that the security of Togo's team and the other squads is guaranteed," his office said in a statement.

It's not the same

The whole tournament should be postponed/cancelled.

This is simply unacceptable.

I loved CAF's response - quoted in that BBC story - that "they should have flown instead of driving".

Harsh.

Togo have now decided to stay and play.
Good on them.

How is it good?

Well it looks like their Gov has recalled them but the players want to play.
It is good because if everyone bowed down to terrorism
then we might as well slit uor wrists now.

It's not bowing down to terrorism. It's protecting your life. f**king hell i'd like to see you shot at for 30 mins hiding on a bus then see how you react.

I heard that it was part of the CAF Organising Committee of the Africa Cup security protocol for the tournament to fly in. However if you look at the map, you can understand the cost saving exercise of just going over a short distance over land in a bus. But it was over a dangerous piece of land governed by rebels so the intel was missing. Not the usual procedure for a football association to gain such intel. A ten men security guards in two cars was just not enough.

I wonder if NZF has sent their message of consolation. . . .

Sad that soccer players are targets in the first place (let any anyone else) but if these guys are prepared to shoot PLAYERS then it's an issue.

Wrong - it is the host's respnsibility to gurantee the safety and security of players, officials, and fans.

When officials get killed, and players get so badly hurt that they have to fight for their life in a South African hospital, it is clear that a major failure occured, and Togolese government is fully justified in withdrawing their team. I reckon if this wasn't a World Cup year, with the African continent due to host its first WC finals, this tournament would have most definitely be postponed.

I have had to play when the Army has gone over the pitch with mine dectors?

NEWSFLASH -  One of the Angolan gunmen involved with the attack on the Togolese football team has been identified as Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael Ferrante. Current investigation has linked the Melbourne native to the attacks after it was realised that of the 200 shots fired, only 3 were on target.


/gets his coat

I did not mean to be flippant but they were attacked on the open road. Playing in a stadium would be a lot differant.
For me, I would probably have had a heart attack.
I really feel for these blokes.

Yeah, but they have to go to and from the stadium from their hotel...and it's apparently a bit of a drive.

Special mention for the numpty in the Angolan Football Federation who decided that a group with some of the most famous footballers in the world should be played in a breakaway province seeking independence with a high-level of activity from guerilla type independence fighters. Real smart move that...

Cannot believe theyve been disqualified. Absolutely ridiculous.

Because South Africa and Angola are the same place?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/9038548.stm
<!-- E IIMA --> <!-- S SF -->

Injured Togo goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale says he is to receive US$25,000 from Fifa after being shot during January's Nations Cup finals in Angola.

Obilale, 25, is still unable to walk eight months after the machine-gun attack by separatist rebels on the Togolese bus as it entered Angola.

Wait, is he the Real Togo or Fake Togo keeper?

Poor taste.

Perhaps in response to this piece from John Leicester (AP) last week? wolfman2010-10-01 15:56:17