Trouble in Africa (Togo Team Bus Attacked)

[hibbie02]

BBC Reporting that the bus carrying Togo Football team has been attacked with Machine Guns en route to Angola. That's Adebeyor's team I believe.

[Hibernian Verse]

What the hell.

[Littlest Hobo]

Just like driving through Glesga :greengrin

[Cocaine&Caviar]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8449319.stm

[Hibernian Verse]

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

[Toaods]

I watched a business report on BLOOMBERG channel earlier today in which they were covering the CAN and how they believe the Angola competition will be a disaster.

The hotel prices are £400/night despite the average daily wage being £2.

local people are generally very poor and the prices are high.

The main point I picked up on was this:

"Angola will be hosting some games at an area which is the other side of Congo, who will not allow access by road due to disputes over ownership of the territory therefore the only way you can get there is by air."

I assume the Togo team were granted permission to travel by road and some of the local heiders are none too pleased.

I love the African football but most teams and fans are extremely volatile so expect anything over the next couple of weeks.

[Thegreenside]

driverr killed and 4 others injuired.

[Barney McGrew]

Sky now reporting that the driver was killed and four others injured.

It looks unlikely that Togo will now take part in the ANC

[PaulSmith]

Sky now reporting that the driver was killed and four others injured.

It looks unlikely that Togo will now take part in the ANC

I'd be surprised if any team decides to stay

[Barney McGrew]

Adebayor confirmed as NOT injured in the attack

[blackpoolhibs]

I'd be surprised if any team decides to stay

:pray: Get Bamba the hell out of there.

[matty_f]

:pray: Get Bamba the hell out of there.

:agree:

Get everyone out of there.


Absolutely nae point putting people's lives at risk for the sake of football.

[Part/Time Supporter]

It did seem a particularly nutty choice of host nation. A bit like UEFA awarding a Euros to Bosnia.

[DC_Hibs]

Quote - "Togo's first game is to be played on Monday in oil-rich Cabinda where rebels have been fighting for independence"

Absolute lunacy.

[Frazerbob]

BBC reporting that Ivory Coast are to be based in the same area as this attack.

[Toaods]

:pray: Get Bamba the hell out of there.



sorted...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18mg9-TFMnQ

[erin-go-bragh87]

:agree:

Get everyone out of there.


Absolutely nae point putting people's lives at risk for the sake of football.

Totally agree. Although most of us act like it on here, me included, football isn't life or death and I think that if people are gonna die because of it they should just cancel the competition.

[Toaods]

It did seem a particularly nutty choice of host nation. A bit like UEFA awarding a Euros to Bosnia.



(cough) : Oil and Diamonds...:wink:

[CapitalHibs]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/01/08/SOCCER_Togo.html


Sounds really bad!

[Woody1985]

FFS. Shocking.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

I always thought Angola was prefixed by the words "war-torn"?

Interesting fact(or not): they speak Portuguese there as they do in Macau and Mozambique.

[MWHIBBIES]

Women drivers ehhh.

[Cocaine&Caviar]

Interesting fact(or not): they speak Portuguese there as they do in Macau and Mozambique.

Angola was a Portuguese overseas territory (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/Portuguese_West_Africa) from the 16th century to 1975 (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/1975). After independence, Angola was the scene of an intense civil war from 1975 to 2002 (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/Angolan_Civil_War).

[Judas Iscariot]

Mental..

The African FA are nearly as stupid as the GFA :rolleyes:

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Angola was a Portuguese overseas territory (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/Portuguese_West_Africa) from the 16th century to 1975 (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/1975). After independence, Angola was the scene of an intense civil war from 1975 to 2002 (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/Angolan_Civil_War).

Eu sei :wink::greengrin

[Dashing Bob S]

sorted...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18mg9-TFMnQ

Genius. Great to see Coiln Murdoch and Bamba's meeting of minds. :top marks

[Sergey]

Pfft, this is nothing more than your run-of-the-mill black-on-black shootings that occur every other day in London Town.

[Hiber-nation]

Pfft, this is nothing more than your run-of-the-mill black-on-black shootings that occur every other day in London Town.

WTF :confused:

[hibsdaft]

Angola was a Portuguese overseas territory (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/Portuguese_West_Africa) from the 16th century to 1975 (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/1975). After independence, Angola was the scene of an intense civil war from 1975 to 2002 (http://www.hibs.net/wiki/Angolan_Civil_War).

:agree:

my brothers father in law (Portuguese) fought over there. horrible affair by all accounts.

[hibbie02]

A really stupid P.C. choice of venue. Always going to end in tears. There is only so much sense in placing high visibility events in 3rd world venues. Yes you want to see these places develop, but at the same time, you have to ask about the viability of place like Southern Africa and Brazil as hosts in these hostile times.:agree:

[hibsbollah]

A really stupid P.C. choice of venue. Always going to end in tears. There is only so much sense in placing high visibility events in 3rd world venues. Yes you want to see these places develop, but at the same time, you have to ask about the viability of place like Southern Africa and Brazil as hosts in these hostile times.:agree:

Good luck in trying to hold an African Cup of Nations in a non-Third World country:confused:

Todays attack was an act of terrorism, which can happen anywhere in the world.

[hibbie02]

Good luck in trying to hold an African Cup of Nations in a non-Third World country:confused:

Todays attack was an act of terrorism, which can happen anywhere in the world.

Well they are holding the World Cup in one so lets hope for the best eh? Personally I think it up to African Nations where they hold their Nations Cup. There are far more stable countries than Angola to try and hold it in. Personally I would hope they can secure the safety of the players and fans first before they worry about how trendy the venue is.

[hibsbollah]

Well they are holding the World Cup in one so lets hope for the best eh? Personally I think it up to African Nations where they hold their Nations Cup. There are far more stable countries than Angola to try and hold it in. Personally I would hope they can secure the safety of the players and fans first before they worry about how trendy the venue is.

Is Angola trendy?

[hibbie02]

Is Angola trendy?

Yes it is in Metro circles around the world. They have Meerkats don't you know!

[hibbie02]

Is Angola trendy?

How the **** do you think they got the ACN in the first place? Ecomonics???? :grr:

[hibsbollah]

Fair enough. I'll bear that in mind next time i'm tempted to do some clothes shopping abroad:thumbsup:

[hibbie02]

Fair enough. I'll bear that in mind next time i'm tempted to do some clothes shopping abroad:thumbsup:

:confused:

[Sas_The_Hibby]

A really stupid P.C. choice of venue. Always going to end in tears. There is only so much sense in placing high visibility events in 3rd world venues. Yes you want to see these places develop, but at the same time, you have to ask about the viability of place like Southern Africa and Brazil as hosts in these hostile times.:agree:

Considering all of Africa is generally considered part of the third world, where exactly do you suggest the African Cup Of Nations should be held? :rolleyes:

[Sas_The_Hibby]

It did seem a particularly nutty choice of host nation. A bit like UEFA awarding a Euros to Bosnia.

As the war in Bosnia finished over 10 years ago, this is a bit like saying the Olympics shouldn't have been held in London in 1948 because of the Blitz!

[hibbie02]

Considering all of Africa is generally considered part of the third world, where exactly do you suggest the African Cup Of Nations should be held? :rolleyes:

Yeah easy target. Some places are worse than others. Maybe you think Zimbabwe is a good choice or Sudan? Angola is little better.

[hibsbollah]

I see Portsmouth are now demanding the FA act to 'bring home their boys':rolleyes:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/08/portsmouth-togo-bus-attack
Watch as the big clubs use this as an excuse to totally overreact in order to get their players back home. I wonder if Kingston will be summoned back to Gorgie?:greengrin

[Sas_The_Hibby]

Yeah easy target. Some places are worse than others. Maybe you think Zimbabwe is a good choice or Sudan? Angola is little better.

Where TF did I mention Zimbabwe or Sudan?

Do you actually know what "Third World" means? :confused:

Please respond to what I actually said or don't bother responding at all!!

[hibbie02]

Where TF did I mention Zimbabwe or Sudan?

Do you actually know what "Third World" means? :confused:

Please respond to what I actually said or don't bother responding at all!!

I was responding to Hibsbollah not you

[hibsbollah]

I was responding to Hibsbollah not you

I never mentioned Zimbabwe or Sudan either:confused:

[Sas_The_Hibby]

I was responding to Hibsbollah not you

Well, it's my quote you had in your post. :confused:

[hibbie02]

I never mentioned Zimbabwe or Sudan either:confused:

Okay I mentioned it as alternative venues equally unsuitable as Angola. Sorry to confuse.

[hibbie02]

Okay I mentioned it as alternative venues equally unsuitable as Angola. Sorry to confuse.

I was asking where you think is suitable in Africa? There are more peaceful places than Angola.

[Toaods]

Is Angola trendy?

it's not LA but the answer is yes....


http://www.cfr.org/publication/16820/

[hibbie02]

Where TF did I mention Zimbabwe or Sudan?

Do you actually know what "Third World" means? :confused:

Please respond to what I actually said or don't bother responding at all!!

Right I just re-read. You didn't mention them I did. I offered them as options equally bad as Angola. Yes I do know about Southern Africa as I worked there. Angola is no place to hold any international competition. Either is Zimbabwe or Sudan (yes I know it's not down there). For the record I have worked in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. I know what I am talking about. Clear?

[Brando7]

Mental news

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2800864/Gunmen-fire-at-Togo-footballers.html

[blackpoolhibs]

Mental news

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2800864/Gunmen-fire-at-Togo-footballers.html

I have just seen some tv footage, and you can see how upset the players are. They cant continue in the tournament, and will surely pull out. I dont know about the other teams?

[Part/Time Supporter]

As the war in Bosnia finished over 10 years ago, this is a bit like saying the Olympics shouldn't have been held in London in 1948 because of the Blitz!

I think you know that's a false comparison. There are still ethnic tensions and governance issues in Bosnia and Kosovo, even if there isn't all out warfare. There are very few countries (ie Sudan) that would have been a nuttier choice than Angola.

[Dashing Bob S]

And some off the team are reluctant to play. Would never have happened in my day. Could you see the likes of Dennis Law, Kenny Dalglish or 'Braveheart' Colin Hendry being deterred by someone shooting off a few rounds of live ammo at them?

[Sas_The_Hibby]

Right I just re-read. You didn't mention them I did. I offered them as options equally bad as Angola. Yes I do know about Southern Africa as I worked there. Angola is no place to hold any international competition. Either is Zimbabwe or Sudan (yes I know it's not down there). For the record I have worked in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. I know what I am talking about. Clear?

Fair enough. I accept you will know much more about the area than I do. I was just confused by your initial post which seemed to suggest that the African Cup Of Nations shouldn't be held in a third world country, which didn't quite make sense.

Sorry if I got a wee bit snotty, but I WAS confused! (no, that's not code for "drunk"!! :greengrin)

[Jack]

The African people live in tribal societies, imposing a [western] country system hasn’t worked and never will. [reference also the Middle East]

Stupid place to have the competition but I’m not sure anywhere south of the Sahara would have been safe and even some in the north are a bit, what shall we say, volatile.

South Africa for the World Cup – that’s not going to work either.

[Sas_The_Hibby]

How localised is the trouble the Togo bus ran into? It was in the Cabinda region, where there has been an independence struggle and (for all I know) the rest of Angola is now relatively safe (or not!?).

I suppose I'm thinking that had there been a football tournament throughout the UK during the 'troubles', for example, there could have been problems in Northern Ireland, without that necessarily making the rest of the UK unsafe.

Angola is a much larger country and what happens in Cabinda may not be representative. Perhaps the bad decision, if there was one, was to have any games in Cabinda, as opposed to holding the tournament in Angola, as a whole.

However, I don't know enough about the country to have an informed opinion (as usual!! :wink:)

[hibbie02]

I think you know that's a false comparison. There are still ethnic tensions and governance issues in Bosnia and Kosovo, even if there isn't all out warfare. There are very few countries (ie Sudan) that would have been a nuttier choice than Angola.

:agree:

[Sas_The_Hibby]

The African people live in tribal societies, imposing a [western] country system hasn’t worked and never will. [reference also the Middle East]

Stupid place to have the competition but I’m not sure anywhere south of the Sahara would have been safe and even some in the north are a bit, what shall we say, volatile.

South Africa for the World Cup – that’s not going to work either.

I have some sympathy with what you say about imposing external political systems but I don't really see what that has to do with the potential success of this year's World Cup.

Mexico 1970 was seen as a big risk but it worked fine, though it has to be said the brutal behaviour of the Mexican riot police, prior to the competition played a part in that! :grr:

[hibsbollah]

I suppose I'm thinking that had there been a football tournament throughout the UK during the 'troubles', for example, there could have been problems in Northern Ireland, without that necessarily making the rest of the UK unsafe.



:agree:That would be my take on it as well. The media response and demands for the tournament to be cancelled seem totally OTT for what was (hopefully) an isolated incident. All this exaggeration about what a 'mad' place Angola is probably has a lot to do with European clubs being desperate to protect their assets.

If a republican terror group had attacked a team bus in a (hypothetical) tourney in Ireland, you'd be hearing all sorts of guff in the press about how the games have to be played so as 'not to let the terrorists win'.

[hibbie02]

:agree:That would be my take on it as well. The media response and demands for the tournament to be cancelled seem totally OTT for what was (hopefully) an isolated incident. All this exaggeration about what a 'mad' place Angola is probably has a lot to do with European clubs being desperate to protect their assets.

If a republican terror group had attacked a team bus in a (hypothetical) tourney in Ireland, you'd be hearing all sorts of guff in the press about how the games have to be played so as 'not to let the terrorists win'.

Lets all hope it was an isolated incident then......... Fingers crossed (in hope rather than expectation)

[Sas_The_Hibby]

I think you know that's a false comparison. There are still ethnic tensions and governance issues in Bosnia and Kosovo, even if there isn't all out warfare. There are very few countries (ie Sudan) that would have been a nuttier choice than Angola.

Fair comment about Bosnia and I suppose I was stretching the comparison a bit. :wink:

However, I'm not accusing you of this but it's easy for a country to continue to have an outdated and unfair reputation, based on history, recent or otherwise. I accept there are still serious issues in Bosnia and I have now resigned from their bid committee for the next Euro Championship! :greengrin

[Hibs7]

Right I just re-read. You didn't mention them I did. I offered them as options equally bad as Angola. Yes I do know about Southern Africa as I worked there. Angola is no place to hold any international competition. Either is Zimbabwe or Sudan (yes I know it's not down there). For the record I have worked in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. I know what I am talking about. Clear?

Well that is a down right lie ................... you have never worked :wink:
Hapy new year 02

[hibbie02]

Well that is a down right lie ................... you have never worked :wink:
Hapy new year 02

Someone had to have the Southern Africa Peg Selling Franchise!!! :wink:

And Hapy New Year to you to L.

[hibsbollah]

Just announced, Togo to leave the ACN with immediate effect after a team meeting.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

Togo have pulled out. They may well not be the last.

[Woody1985]

Just announced, Togo to leave the ACN with immediate effect after a team meeting.

Can't blame them at all after seeing the footage of their reactions, not that it would have made a difference if I hadn't. Obviously the correct decision for their players.

It will be interesting to see how many, if any, of them refuse to play in Africa again or retire from the international set ups.

[Toaods]

no surprise considering but from a purely footballing angle, one less game for Bamba and greater likelyhood of progession.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8449978.stm

[hibsbollah]

Can't blame them at all after seeing the footage of their reactions, not that it would have made a difference if I hadn't. Obviously the correct decision for their players.

It will be interesting to see how many, if any, of them refuse to play in Africa again or retire from the international set ups.

Nope, cant blame them at all. I wouldnt expect to see any other teams leave unless there are more incidents though. Will Togos opponents just get a 3-0 walkover or something I wonder?

[MyJo]

just been on sky news that one of the injured Togo players has died in hospital, no names given though.

[matty_f]

just been on sky news that one of the injured Togo players has died in hospital, no names given though.

:bitchy: That's brutal. They should pull the tournament. Why wait and see if it's an isolated incident? By the time they find out it wasn't isolated who knows what the cost will be?

[superbam]

Im not sure whay they though it was a good idea to have one of the host cities in a province which is basically an annex of the country, completely seperated from mainland angola, where there is an ongoing seperatist rebellion.

[hibiedude]

:bitchy: That's brutal. They should pull the tournament. Why wait and see if it's an isolated incident? By the time they find out it wasn't isolated who knows what the cost will be?

Have to agree matty

[Betty Boop]

I wonder why Togo decided to travel by road, when all the teams were advised to fly?

[bringbackbenny]

still unconfirmed but reuters are reporting the togo keeper Kodjovi Obilale has allegedly died as a result of his wounds.



http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/09012010/58/african-cup-nations-goalkeeper-dies-togo-gun-attack.html

[Jim44]

A part of me says you don't bow out to terrorism but I really feel the tournament should be at least postponed until further notice. I would also now question the wisdom of staging the World Cup in a highly volatile region of the world.

[blackhibee]

The only place I could possibly think of that would have been an even worse choice would have been Somalia, but first and foremost should be sympathies to the families of the 4 people that have been killed. I love football, but it's only a sport, nothing more than that. Angola has been unstable for years, particularly the civil war between the MPLA and UNITA, and now this. IMO the competition should be abandoned this year, and I see Togo have issued a statement saying Ghana and the Ivory Coast are fully supportive of their position. These are 2 prolific countries in footballing terms in Africa, and if they were to pull out it would further undermine what is fast becoming a bit of a farce, as well as a tragedy.

[hibiedude]

This years World cup in South Africa is going to be interesting because there is already seroius questions being asked regarding security.

[hibsdaft]

Grenoble’s Togolese international midfielder Alaixys Romao has spoken of Friday’s rebel attack on the coach carrying Togo’s national team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, which killed the team’s bus driver and left several members of the party injured.

The attack took place at the border crossing between Congo-Brazzaville, where Togo had been preparing for the tournament, and the Angolan enclave of Cabinda, the scene of much recent separatist movement.

One of the injured players is Kodjovi Obilale, goalkeeper with Pontivy in the CFA, the French fourth division. Pontivy president Philippe Le Mestre said Obilale was shot in the back.

"We threw ourselves to the ground"

Romao said: “Five minutes after going through customs and arriving in Cabinda, the first shots were fired. We threw ourselves to the ground, and the exchanges of fire intensified between our escort and those attacking us.

“My first instinct was to pray. What else could I do? Our driver collapsed and so our coach was stationary and under fire. A first soldier tried to get the bus started, but he didn’t know how to drive it and it took a second soldier to take the wheel to get us out of there with part of the military escort. It must have lasted more than five minutes.

"Could have been even worse"

“With regards to the Africa Cup of Nations, personally I’m in the mood to boycott the competition. We came here to play football and ended up being shot at. How do you want me to think about sport when I’ve got the image in my head of my team-mates in a bloodbath. Moreover, we’ve got the feeling that it could have been even worse.”

.

[7Hero]

It did seem a particularly nutty choice of host nation. A bit like UEFA awarding a Euros to Bosnia.

no it would be like them awarding it to the ukraine, bunch of f*****n animals that lot after burning scottish flags and attacking everyone including women on the trip.

hold on a minute, they did award it to ukraine...:grr:

[Prof. Shaggy]

This years World cup in South Africa is going to be interesting because there is already seroius questions being asked regarding security.

Why?
The Rugby World Cup (ok, not the same scale in media/visitor terms) was held in 1995 and passed without incident.
There are regular international cricket and rugby games and tournaments taking place throughout the year.
As widespread poverty hangs over from the Apartheid days, there is a problem in the country regarding crime and organised crime and there are parts of the country where visitors are unwise to venture. Hence the concerns over security. There is no political unrest in the country which is likely to take violent form.
Until yesterday, the most famous acts of terror at major sports events were at the olympic games in Munich and Atlanta. Neither of them the centre of noticeable unrest.

[Wull]

This years World cup in South Africa is going to be interesting because there is already seroius questions being asked regarding security.

been doon here nearly 30 years, u cannot compare Cabinda area or 99% of Angola with any area of SA. While I'm not saying the W Cup tournamant will be perfect, in terms of transport or "safety" u cannot compare the 2 tounaments. Actually I don think safety in the same terms as the Cabinda episode is of any real threat, I am more worried on the transport issue to be the biggest test of SA.
Fingers crossed:bye:

Wull

[Woody1985]

Why?
The Rugby World Cup (ok, not the same scale in media/visitor terms) was held in 1995 and passed without incident.
There are regular international cricket and rugby games and tournaments taking place throughout the year.
As widespread poverty hangs over from the Apartheid days, there is a problem in the country regarding crime and organised crime and there are parts of the country where visitors are unwise to venture. Hence the concerns over security. There is no political unrest in the country which is likely to take violent form.
Until yesterday, the most famous acts of terror at major sports events were at the olympic games in Munich and Atlanta. Neither of them the centre of noticeable unrest.

I know a boy from SA and he moved away because of the violence and only goes back to see his family once every year or two.

He says that some daft tourists will get lost and take a wrong turn down a road and chances are they won't come back or they'll be robbed at the very minimum.

[sunshine1875]

Just announced, Togo to leave the ACN with immediate effect after a team meeting.

Now reporting that Togo 'will play in ACN'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8450421.stm

[hibsbollah]

Now reporting they won't play:confused:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8450529.stm

Wish Adebayor would make his mind up...

[Hibernating (Im a stoopid yam tramp)]

Now reporting they won't play:confused:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8450529.stm

Wish Adebayor would make his mind up...


I wouldn't play in it. Trigger happy crazies at every turn, no thanks.