Togo football team's bus fired on

[north stand]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8449319.stm

[north stand]

A bus carrying Togo's national football team to the Africa Cup of Nations has been hit by machine-gun fire, injuring two players, reports say.

The reported incident occurred as the bus was en route to Angola from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Africa Cup of Nations is due to start in Angola on Sunday.

Togo's first game is to be played on Monday in the oil-rich northern territory of Cabinda, where rebels have been fighting for independence.

The identities of the wounded players are not known. There are unconfirmed reports of serious injuries.

The Togolese team includes Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

[Tim]

Terrible news, let's hope those that were injured are ok. Don't blame them for not wanting to take part in the tournament now.

[disillusion]

I think that the tournament should not take place. The players aren´t safe obviously.

[PloKoon13]

Some Tottenham and West Ham fans on the other football forum I frequent showed their class by wishing the worst upon various players they don't like. I can't believe some people... absolute scum.

I hope they're all ok, and that any injuries that have already been suffered turn out to be negligable.

[TheWestwayWonder]

PK, I just saw the same on redcafe, most of the peopole shocked but a few total jackasses having a good laugh: "Is it wrong to hope its not Adebayor?" "Course it is, Adebayor isnt Drogba" etc. Disgusting and I would hope their admins will deal with people harshly. Cant say the same about other places.

Anyway, tragic awful news, and I dearly hope the players already injured recover. I dont see how the tournament can continue now, if safety cant be assured.

R.I.P. to the teams driver, and condolences to his family

Edited January 8, 2010 by TheWestwayWonder

[loz]

The latest news is that the bus driver was killed and that there are other serious injuries.

It is a tragic story and those people who make comments along the lines of those Plokoon has mentioned should be ashamed of themselves. Somewhere there is a mother or father, or wife, child, sister etc etc mourning the death of their loved one.

[geezer]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if something similar happened at the World Cup

[chelseabootboy]

Just seen this on sky sports what the f**k is this world coming to??

[Spiller86]

Terribly sad. It's an obvious target for FLEC and how the hell security wasn't able to prevent this is beyond me. Perhaps Roman can spare some of his private army to look after Drogs, Essien etc. during their time down there.

Sporting teams are becoming more of a target sadly, a similar thing happened to the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan earlier in the year. There have got to be serious concerns about this tournament continuing under these conditions, and I suppose it's not ridiculous for these sort of things to extend into Sth Africa, though there security will no doubt be tighter.

[mad_mac]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if something similar happened at the World Cup

Unfortunatley, I fear you may be right! This will have FIFA bricking it, as there were already concerns about the safety of the public at the WC.

RIP to the driver, and I hope whomever was hit recovers fully

[Plavi26]

This is terrible news, it's just sad to see it happen just like the kidnapping of players family members (I remember Kezman having his brother or cousin kidnapped for a 13 million ransom). It's just horrible from people ruining the reputation of their own country by violence, because sometimes sport is a good way to make a good reputation or good ambassadors in the likes for business and also be seen as an opportunity for the youngsters.

[ethicalstrategy]

I see the head of the African football federation has criticised Togo for coming by coach rather than flying!

It's hard to see the Togo side continuing in the tournament after this.

[bluemoon]

This really is a tragic event.

Reports coming through that the team meeting Ade held this morning has resulted in them leaving. They are apparently at the airport now. Thank god. The tournament should be cancelled and everyone brought home.

I was disgusted at the event organisers yesterday. They attempted to play the incident down blaming a burst tyre for the panic. A burst f**king tyre for christ sake. Adebayor was one of the players carrying the wounded from the buses. He sounded distraught on the radio last night. I just want them home.

[dkw]

I see the head of the African football federation has criticised Togo for coming by coach rather than flying!

It's hard to see the Togo side continuing in the tournament after this.

seriously? unbelievable. and we thought our FA were inconsiderate idiots. what a crass thing to say.

[bluemoon]

Death toll has risen to three according to the goalkeeper.

Confirmed that Togo have withdrawn.

[lauren]

just read there are now 4 deaths, the driver, the reserve goalkeeper, a press officer and and a trainer.

this is awful. Very sad.

[TheWestwayWonder]

Jesus, its just getting worse. RIP to all those that have passed, and I hope there is no more terrible news

This really is a tragic event.

Reports coming through that the team meeting Ade held this morning has resulted in them leaving. They are apparently at the airport now. Thank god. The tournament should be cancelled and everyone brought home.

I was disgusted at the event organisers yesterday. They attempted to play the incident down blaming a burst tyre for the panic. A burst f**king tyre for christ sake. Adebayor was one of the players carrying the wounded from the buses. He sounded distraught on the radio last night. I just want them home.

It was really hard seeing them outside the hotel or hospital, clearly in agony over what had happened. BBC reported a rumor that the authorities persuaded them to stay, but I cant see how they ever would after this.

And its hard to see how an event that is supposed to be about togetherness and celebration among the continent can continue now

[geezer]

Football authorities never cease to amaze me. These guys sound the same as those who allowed the European Cup final at Heysel to go ahead. They were probably still carrying the dead out as the match was being played. Cretins

[forbzy]

I know there is an argument that says you can't let a small minority spoil it for everybody but surely the tournament should be canceled at this point? For one thing I doubt any of the other teams will want to hang around in Angola any longer following this tragic event. The tournament should be halted and Angola should be punished.

And good point about Heysel Geezer. The game should never have been played. They should have awarded the trophy to Juventus without a ball being kicked.

[loz]

Angloa punished by who? This was a terrible crime - you don't punish a country for a crime committed on its ground.

[forbzy]

Unfortunatley, I fear you may be right! This will have FIFA bricking it, as there were already concerns about the safety of the public at the WC.

RIP to the driver, and I hope whomever was hit recovers fully

I don't think you can compare Angola and South Africa. They have little in common besides being in the same continent. Angola have been in and out of civil war for as long as I can remember so I think it was a big risk for them to host it. South Africa have a good track record of hosting tournaments. They did a good job with the rugby World Cup and the Confeds cup among others. I'm sure that some fans will fall victims of crimes although hopefully the numbers will be low. However I'd be very surprised if we see the same sort of events that just occurred in Angola.

[forbzy]

Angloa punished by who? This was a terrible crime - you don't punish a country for a crime committed on its ground.

Sorry I mean punished by not having the chance to see the tournament go ahead. The attack was clearly nothing to do with the Angolan Govt or reflective of most if not all of their population. However I do feel that the Angolan authorities have a responsibility to ensure the protection of at least the teams visiting their country. It may be more tricky to ensure safety for all supporters too but surely the teams should have been given the best armed guard available. If Angola cannot guarantee their safety they have no business hosting the tournament.

[dkw]

i wonder if adebayor slid on his knees down the bus to celebrate in front of the gunners....

too early?

[Valerie]

i wonder if adebayor slid on his knees down the bus to celebrate in front of the gunners....

too early?

Not for me, perhaps for some :)