Angola 2010: Togo Football Team Attacked

...many want to quit African Nations Cup
A bus driver has been killed and several people injured after the coach carrying the Togo national football team was attacked with machine guns in Angola.

The country's Football Federation confirmed the death, and said nine people were injured in the attack.

Gunmen opened fire on the convoy carrying the team into Angola from their training camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as they prepare for the African Cup of Nations.

"The Angolan driver was killed on the spot," said a Togolese sports ministry spokesman, adding that the attack took place in the restive Angolan region of Cabinda.

Manchester City have confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo's captain, was unhurt in the incident.

Angolan separatist guerrilla group FLEC, which has waged a war in the region for more than 30 years, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Striker Thomas Dossevi told radio station RMC that "several players are in a bad state."

He says the team was "shot at like dogs" by hooded gunmen, who were "armed to the teeth."

He added: "We had just crossed the border from Congo into Cabinda. We had filled in the border formalities and were surrounded by police. Then there was a powerful burst of gunfire.
"Everyone dived under the seats and the police fired back.
"We stayed under the seats for 20 minutes. It was horrible."
Togo are due to begin their African Cup of Nations campaign against Ghana in Cabinda on Monday.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed the tournament will go ahead as planned.
Portsmouth Football Club called for four of their players on international duty at the tournament to be brought back to England if their safety cannot be guaranteed.
Prior to his departure for the tournament, Adebayor was asked whether he had any reservations about playing in the politically unstable Cabinda region. He said: "We were born in Africa so we know what it's about. Some people might be afraid which is normal, I can understand that.
"But I'm going back to Africa, to one of the countries on my continent, and I'm prepared for Cabinda. I will enjoy myself."

Togo captain says many want to quit African Nations Cup after bus attack

LONDON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor said that many of his teammates want to quit the African Nations Cup after a gun attack on a team bus, killing one and wounding nine in Angola on Friday.

The Manchester City striker told BBC Radio Five Live in Britain that he would convene a meeting to discuss with teammates.

"I don't think they will be ready to give their life. We will discuss everything as a team and we will take a decision that we think is good for our career, is good for our life and good for our family," said Adebayor.

Two players suffered wounds and the driver was killed as gunmen fired at the Togo team's vehicles when they crossed into the Angolan province of Cabinda from Congo-Brazzaville.

The injured players were goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale and defender Serge Akakpo.

Adebayor told the BBC: "Most of the players want to go back to their family. No-one can sleep after what they have seen today. They have seen one of their team-mates have a bullet in his body, who is crying, who is losing consciousness and everything.

"So we will have a good meeting tonight, everyone will go to their room, they will rest and we will see tomorrow morning. We will make a decision which is good for our life."

Togo was due to play its first match in the tournament against Ghana in Cabinda on Monday.

The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility in a statement.