Togo footballers shot in ambush

[Samia]

Gunmen have fired on a bus carrying Togo's football team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, wounding players and reportedly killing the driver.

The attackers machine-gunned the vehicle after it crossed from the Republic of Congo into Angola's oil-rich territory of Cabinda.

Rebels who have been fighting for the region's independence later said they had carried out the attack.

The organisers of the tournament, which starts on Sunday, say it will go ahead.

The Angolan government called the incident an "act of terrorism".

The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), which said it carried out the attack, has fought for independence for several decades, but entered a ceasefire in 2006.

In a statement quoted by Portugal's Lusa news agency, the group said: "This operation is only the start of a series of targeted actions that will continue in all the territory of Cabinda."

Togo is due to play its first cup game in Cabinda on Monday. The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the tournament would go ahead as planned, despite the violent attack.

Angolan Sports Minister Goncalves Muandumba said security for the competition would be stepped up to guarantee "all the conditions necessary for the success, tranquillity and security of the people and their belongings".

'Under shock'

Nine people, including at least two players, were wounded during the shooting, reports said. Central defender Serge Akakpo was among those hurt and back-up goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale was also reportedly injured.

Romanian side FC Vaslui confirmed that Mr Akakpo, who joined the club from French side Auxerre last year, was shot and badly injured in the attack. The 22-year-old was out of danger after being struck by two bullets and being treated by doctors, the club said.

The team's communications manager was among those seriously wounded in the shooting.

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was also on the bus but is unhurt. Speaking to the BBC, he described the incident as "one of the worst experiences of his life".

"I'm still under shock," Mr Adebayor said. "I was one of those who carried the injured players into the hospital - that is when I realised what was really going on. All the players, everyone was crying, calling their mums, crying on the phone, saying their last words because they thought they'd be dead."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8449319.stm

absolutely crazy and disgusting! i hope all the injured make a speedy recovery. i don't think togo can continue playing in the tournament...it must be too traumatic.

[♥ Majiek ♥]

Sad state of reality, I hope everyone can recover from this, both mentally and physically.

[just_anna]

yeah this is just so unbelievable...it's really sad these kind of things happen... i just read that the second coach and the  team's communications manager have died due to severe injuries....that makes three with the driver...and some other were injured but not severe and will recover....also i read they do want to continue playing in the Africa Cup for the memory of those who died and everything...but it's gonna be hard i mean going through a thing like this has to affect you

sincere condolences to the families

[RVPlover]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8449978.stm

'Three dead' after gun attack on Togo football team


Emmanuel Adebayor, right, escaped injury but was visibly shocked
The death toll from an attack on Togo's football team as they travelled in Angola has risen from one to three, reports say.
The team bus driver was killed in Friday's attack, with the deaths of the assistant coach and a spokesman announced a day later.
Two players were among nine people injured in the attack as the team headed to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The team withdrew from the competition, which is due to start on Sunday.
The attack happened in Angola's northern province of Cabinda on Friday.
Goalkeeper Kossi Agassa, who plays for French club Istres, told France-Info radio that the assistant coach and a spokesperson had died.
   
CABINDA

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
Among the nine people injured were two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.
The attackers machine-gunned the vehicle after it crossed from the Republic of Congo into Angola's oil-rich territory of Cabinda.
Rebels who have been fighting for the region's independence later said they had carried out the attack.
The Angolan government called the incident an "act of terrorism".
Togo had been due to play their first cup game in Cabinda on Monday, but will now fly home on the presidential plane which is being sent to collect them.
The Ghanaian team was also said to be considering pulling out.
The BBC sports correspondent says Togo's decision to withdraw is a crushing blow for the Angolan hosts, who hoped the tournament would show how far their country had progressed since the end of the civil war.
The tournament's organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the team should have travelled by air rather than road.