Togo’s Football Team Will Continue with Tournament
Update: Togo’s football team has now decided to stay on and play in the African Nations Cup.
Despite calls from their own government to withdraw, the team has apparently made up their minds to continue with the tournament. Speaking to the AFP, Thomas Dossevi said, “We are all heartbroken, it is no longer a party, but we want to show our national colours, our values and that we are men”.
“It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities”.
The Togo national football team’s bus was attacked by gunmen in Cabinda, Angola, resulting in the death of the driver and injury to several passengers, including two players.
Armed separatists fired machine guns at the bus as it entered northern Cabinda from neighbouring Congo, where Togo had been in training camp ahead of Angola’s African Nations Cup of 2010.
The bus driver was described as dead on the scene, while two players were also caught in the fire. These were Serge Akakpo, a 22-year-old with Romanian’s FC Vaslui, and 25-year-old Kodjovi Obilale, who plays in goal for amateur side GSI Pontivy in France.
A team doctor and another unidentified member of Togolese staff are thought to be the other two casulaties.
Meanwhile, Alaixys Romao told L’Equipe, “We have just had a meeting of the whole delegation and we will be on the pitch on Monday to face Ghana.”
All the teams have been promised increased security for the tournament following the attacks.