Togo pull out of Africa Cup of Nations after horror terrorist bus attack in Cabinda

09 January 2010 20:21
The Football Association have vowed to do everything in their power to ensure the safety of the Premier League players at the African Nations Cup in Angola following the terrorist attack on the Togo team bus.[LNB]Togo today decided to pull out of the tournament as the death toll from the attack reportedly rose to three.[LNB]Togo government spokesperson Pascal Bodjona told reporters: 'We can't continue in these dramatic circumstances in the African Nations Cup. It was necessary because our players are in shock.'[LNB]The bus came under machine gunfire yesterday just after it had crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Angolan enclave of Cabinda.[LNB] Anxious moments: Togo's reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale arrives on a stretcher at Lanseria airport after being evacuated to Johannesburg [LNB]It was confirmed last night the bus driver was killed, while reportstoday claimed an assistant coach and a press officer also died fromtheir injuries.[LNB]There was confusion surrounding the condition of reserve teamgoalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale. It had been widely reported in the Frenchmedia that he had died, but his French club, GSI Pontivy, and AstonVilla midfielder Moustapha Salifou, who was with him on the bus, saidhe had been taken to South Africa for treatment.[LNB]The English FA have been in touch with officials from FIFA and the African Football Confederation (CAF).[LNB]Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togo captain, wasalso on board, while a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelseaand Arsenal, have players competing at the tournament.[LNB] Shaken: Adebayor is helped away from the bus attack in Cabinda[LNB]An FA statement read: 'Following the terrible events involving theTogo national football team in Angola yesterday, the FA has been incontinual contact with all of the English clubs who have AfricanNations Cup players.[LNB]'We are also working closely with and being helpfully supported by the Premier League and League Managers Association.[LNB]'The FA has also been in regular contact with FIFA to obtain as muchinformation and guidance as possible. This has involved conversationswith FIFA's General Secretary. We have also spoken to the DeputyGeneral Secretary of CAF. The FA will maintain frequent contact withboth organisations.[LNB]'All of English football would like to offer our sincere condolencesto everyone connected with the Togo squad, especially to the familiesof those who have been tragically killed or have been injured.[LNB]'We will do all we can to ensure the welfare and safety of all Premier League players in Angola representing their countries.'[LNB] Tragedy: Togo assistant coach Abalo Amelete was killed in the attack[LNB]City revealed in a statement on their official website, Adebayor andhis team-mates held a meeting this morning before deciding that theywished to pull out of the tournament.[LNB]It added: 'It has been made clear by manager Roberto Mancini andsenior officials that Emmanuel will now be given as much time as heneeds to recover from the horrific attack.'[LNB]Togo are expected to officially pull out of the tournament as soonas they can confirm their withdrawal with CAF, but are currently inCabinda at their team base.[LNB]Salifou today spoke of the horror of seeing Obilale shot in thechest and said the goalkeeper is now fighting for his life in a SouthAfrican hospital.[LNB]'It was only 15 minutes after we crossed into Angola that the coachcame under heavy fire from rebels," he said on Villa's official website.[LNB] Enlarge Going home: The Togo squad are leaving the Africa Cup of Nations without playing a game[LNB]'The driver of the coach was shot almost immediately and died instantly, so we were just stopped on the road with nowhere to go.[LNB]'Our security people saved us. They were in two separate cars, about10 of them in total and they returned fire. The shooting lasted forhalf an hour and I could hear the bullets whistling past me. It waslike a movie.[LNB]'I know I am really lucky. I was in the back of the coach with Emmanuel Adebayor and one of the goalkeepers.[LNB]'A defender who was sat in front of me took two shots in the back.The goalkeeper, Obilale, one of my best friends, was shot in the chestand stomach area and he has been flown to South Africa to undergo anoperation to save his life.'[LNB] On guard: Angolan police special forces monitor a bus as it leaves the Olympic Village[LNB]Serge Akakpo, who players his club football in Romania, was confirmed by his club yesterday as the second player shot.[LNB]Midfielder Alaixys Romao claimed the Togo players were encouraging other teams to pull out of the competition.[LNB]'We're also talking to the other teams in our group to try toconvince them to boycott the competition too,' the Grenoble player toldL'Equipe.[LNB]Togo were due to play their first game of the tournament againstGhana on Monday, while Ivory Coast and Burkino Faso are also in theirgroup.[LNB]Udinese confirmed in a statement they had asked Ghana FootballAssociation and FIFA for the return of their midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah,who is with the Ghana squad.[LNB]Togo coach Hubert Velud claimed this morning on French radio stationRMC the authorities should seriously consider whether to call off thewhole tournament, although Angola insist their country is committed tohosting a secure competition and said they would step up security.[LNB]The separatist group The Front for the Liberation of Enclave ofCabinda (FLEC), who were reported to have claimed responsibility forthe attack, have denied they carried it out.[LNB] Togo players 'machine-gunned like dogs' as team bus comes under attackHull boss wants Daniel Cousin and Seyi Olofinjana to quit Africa and come home'Worst experience of my life': Adebayor reveals Togo's gun terror tormentAngola government pledge to beef up security after 'unfortunate' attack[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail