It all kicks off in Africa (10-31Jan 2010)

The Africa Cup of Nations in Angola today (10.01.10) kicked off, amidst controversy today after the Togo team bus was shot. The team’s captain, Emmanuel Adebayor escaped uninjured. The driver of the team’s bus was killed and at least two players were wounded when it came under fire on Friday. Separatists in the enclave of Cabinda have said they carried out the attack.

The organisers allowed the Africa Cup of Nations to take place despite the attack on the Togolese football team in Angola, but have stated that the security and well being of the players and teams in the competition is of the up-most importance.

“Our first priority is the safety of the players, but the tournament will go ahead,” said a spokesman for the Confederation of African Football said on Friday.

The team’s captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, who plays for Manchester City, told the BBC that Africa’s image had suffered a big blow in a year when it will host the World Cup.

“We keep repeating [that] Africa, we have to change our image if we want to be respected, and unfortunately that is not happening,” he said.

His fellow striker, Thomas Dossevi, said the team bus had been surrounded by police vehicles, five minutes after entering Cabinda, when it was attacked.

“Everything looked fine and we came under heavy fire. Everyone scrambled under the seats trying to protect themselves,” he said.

“We were machine-gunned like dogs… They were armed to the teeth.”

Adebayor said the team was trapped on bus for about 30 minutes while the security forces fought off the attackers. The players and staff then had to flee the bus under fire to get into the vehicles sent to rescue them.

Saturday morning the President of the Confederation of African Football had an extensive discussion with the Prime Minister of Angola. Following the meeting, President Issa Hayatou received all the assurances that security will be beefed up at all the competitions venues as requested by the various delegations.

After the meeting, President of CAF (Confederation of African Football) flew immediately to Cabinda to meet the four teams of group B. He was accompanied by almost the entire executive members of CAF, the General Secretary as well as the executive director of COCAN. A meeting was organised at the Cabinda airport lounge, the president and executive members of CAF agreed in perfect harmony, along with Angolan authorities to retain the matches of group B in Cabinda. Mr. Hayatou spoke to the Togolese players, medical team and the management. He expresses CAF deepest sympathy following the sad event which occurred on Friday. The CAF President said “You came here to play football but unfortunately two of your brothers were killed. I am feeling terribly bad and short of words.”

While addressing the players, the president of CAF  said “It is left to you to decide to stay in a competition synonym of fraternity, brotherhood, friendship and solidarity. And incase you decide to leave the competition, we will definitely understand your decision and it will be accepted. It is a difficult choice, individual choice and also collective choice, you are the only one can decide.”

It was confirmed today that Togo will be withdrawing from the competition and players will be returning to their families.

The opening match of the competition kicked off between Angolia and Mali which Angola won convincingly. The remaining matches are as follows:

For further info on the tournament Click here