Mali protest over “fixed” match in Angola
January 19 – The Mali Football Federation (FMF) has made an official protest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the controversial Angola versus Algeria game.
World Tournaments
African Nations Cup opens in spectacular fashion as Togo fly home
By Duncan Mackay
January 10 – Togo’s team flew home from the African Cup of Nations tonight after the deadly ambush of their team bus but the country’s Sports Minister said they hoped to return to Angola, where the tournament got off to a spectacular start as Mali came from 4-0 with 11 minutes remaining against the hosts to draw 4-4.
Togo Government order players home from Angola after they claim they want to stay
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By Duncan Mackay
January 10 – Togo’s players will not play in the Africa Cup of Nation in Angola after the country’s Government ordered them home following a deadly attack on the team bus, although players had claimed they wanted to stay and play.
Togo goalkeeper airlifted to South Africa for emergency surgery
By Duncan Mackay
January 9 – Togo’s reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale was tonight set to undergo emergency surgery on his injuries suffered in the terrorist attack on the team’s bus in Angola yesterday.
Togo pull out of African Nations Cup after gun attack
January 9 – Togo have today withdrawn from the African Nations Cup in Angola following the machine gun attack on their team bus yesterday, with the death toll now understood to have risen to three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.
Premier League clubs worried about multi-million pound stars in Angola
January 8 – English Premier League clubs have demanded assurances from FIFA about the safety of their players in Angola, including Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu (pictured), following the attack today by gunmen on a bus carrying the Togo squad into Angola to finalise their preparations for the tournament.
Deaths as Togo team bus machine-gunned in Angola
By Duncan Mackay
January 8 – A bus carrying the Togo national team, including Manchester City’s £25 million striker Emmanuel Adebayor (pictured), has come under attack from gunfire in Angola, where they were preparing for the African Cup of Nations, which is due to open there on Sunday.
Angola is ready for African Nations Cup says Government
January 7 – Angola is ready to host the African Cup of Nations, which open on Sunday, the country’s Government has declared.
Italy must modernise stadiums, says FICG vice-president
January 4 – Demetrio Albertini (pictured), the vice-president of the Italian Football Associaiton (FICG), has warned that the country must modernise its stadiums if its bid to host the 2016 European Championships is to be successful.
Stadium contractor for Euro 2012 fired in Poland
December 30 – Wroclaw, one of four Polish cities due to host the 2012 European Championships, today scrapped a stadium construction deal with Mostostal Warszawa, Mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz said.
Fenerbahce angry over Euro 2016 snub
December 29 – Fenerbahce today hit out at the exclusion of its Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium from Turkey’s bid to host the 2016 European Championships.
Tickets on sale for African Nations Cup a week late
December 29 – Ticket sales for the 2010 African Nations Cup are running late due to logistical problems, an official said today, less than two weeks before the tournament starts in Angola.
Angola officially opens stadiums for African Nations Cup
December 29 – Two of the four stadiums hosting the 2010 African Cup of Nations, due to open in less than two weeks, have been officially opened.
Nigerian coach complains about timing of African Nations
By Duncan Mackay
December 27 – Nigeria’s coach Shuaibu Amodu (pictured) has called for the African Cup of Nations to be moved in the football calendar so that teams have more time to prepare.
Verona stadium to undergo €40 million facelift for Euro 2016
December 24 – Verona have received the go-ahead for a €40 million (£36 million) facelift of their Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi, which is scheduled to be part of Italy’s bid to host Euro 2016, it has been announced.