January 9 – Togo have today withdrawn from the African Nations Cup in Angola following the machine gun attack on their team bus yesterday, with the death toll now understood to have risen to three and team coach Hubert Velud criticising the organisers reaction to the horrific incident.
The team bus was attacked by rebels after crossing the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Angolan enclave of Cabinda ahead of the tournament.
There have been conflicting reports about the identity of those shot, but it is thought that the driver was killed and two players were injured, and goalkeeper Kossi Agassa told French radio station France-Info on Saturday that a Togo assistant coach and a spokesperson have also died.
This was backed up by Confederation of African Football (CAF) press official Kodjo Samlan, who said: “Communications chief Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Abalo Amnalete died at four o’clock this morning.”
Obilale Kossiis, the reserve goalkeeper, thought to have been taken to South Africa for treatment.
Reports in France suggested early today that the players had taken to decision not to take part in the competition, which starts in Luanda tomorrow, and midfielder Alaixys Romao has now confirmed the they will not take part.
“We’re waiting for the plane to return to Lome,” the Grenoble player told L’Equipe.
“We’re also talking to the other teams in our group to try to convince them to boycott the competition, too.”
Velud claims the authorities should seriously consider whether to call off the tournament after the attack.
Angola insist their country is committed to hosting a secure tournament and said they would step up security.
Officials are set to hold a meeting with the CAF today and Velud believes the future of the competition should be called into question.
“We can at least pose ourselves that question,” Velud told French radio station RMC.
“It’s an act of barbarism while we are here to celebrate African football.
“We left the hospital a short time ago to come to the centre for the teams in the competition.
“We stayed in the hospital a long time so that we could be very united.
“In these situations, you become a bit paranoid, you doubt everything.
“We don’t feel that the authorities are taking this very seriously.
“I don’t mean that they want to hush up the matter, but almost.
“What will happen I don’t know.
“We will have a meeting with the players and technical staff to take a decision.”
Togo were due to open the tournament against Ghana on Monday.
While Velud (pictured) was disappointed with the way the authorities are dealing with the incident, the 50-year-old Frenchman was full of praise for the army.
“What’s sure is that the army saved our lives,” he said.
“Without them, the rebels would have destroyed us because we didn’t have any defence.
“And I wouldn’t be here to speak to you now.
“I was hit in the arm but it’s nothing compared to what happened to the assistant coach, who took a bullet in the stomach, as did the press attache.
“Goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale took one in the kidney.
“My case is minor in comparison to them, but we are all in shock because it’s an act of war.
“There was a lot of blood and fear in the bus.
“I’m thinking of people I know but there is also a huge thought for the driver, who was killed.”
Manchester City confirmed that Emmaneul Adebayor, the Togo captain who was on the bus, would be given compassionate leave to recover the trauma.
A statement on the club’s official website said: “The club is in regular contact with Emmanuel, his advisors and the English Football Association.
“It has been made clear by manager Roberto Mancini and senior officials that Emmanuel will now be given as much time as he needs to recover from the horrific attack.”
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