Togo Team Quit African Cup of Nations After Attack
Didier Drogba, Chelsea striker, says he and his Ivory Coast team-mates were left upset and deeply disturbed following Friday’s attack on the Togo team bus in Angola, which resulted in the death of the driver, injuries to two players and two team officials.
The Blues forward reportedly phoned his friend, Emmanuel Adebayor, who was one of the players on the bus when it was attacked by Cabindan separatist guerrillas. He spoke to him for a long time about the situation.
Drogba apparently considered quitting the African Cup of Nations, but now he and the rest of the Ivory Coast team are now resolved to play in the tournament.
“We are ready, but the events of Friday have left us shattered. I have spoken with Adebayor and it was a difficult situation for them,” the Chelsea star told The London Evening Standard. “We have to show solidarity with them, though, and support the decision they have taken. We are all sad to see them leave the biggest competition for African players, but that is life.”
While the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have declared that the ACN will not be canceled, Togo’s part in the tournament now appears to have come to an end as the team have arrived at an airport in order to return to Lome, the Togolese capital.