Togo National Team Bus Attacked By Rebels

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Full article from SoccerNet

"Players injured, driver dead" after Togo bus attack
By Soccernet staff

January 8, 2010

The Togo national team bus has been machine-gunned by Angolan rebels on the Congolese border ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

The attack happened just after players entered Cabinda.

Two players are reported to be injured and a Togolese sports ministry spokesman in Lome said that the bus driver had been killed in the attack. The Sparrow Hawks are in the country ahead of the African tournament, which gets under way on Sunday.

"The Angolan driver was killed on the spot," the Togolese official told Reuters.

"I am fine but several players are in a bad way," FC Nantes striker Thomas Dossevi told Radio Monte Carlo."We are still at hospital. We were attacked like dogs and had to hide for 20 minutes under the seats to avoid the bullets. We were shot, although we had two police coaches on our sides. There are two injured players and also some staff."

Giving more details on the attack, he said: ''We had just crossed the border five minutes before, we were surrounded by police buses, one in front of us another behind. Everything was fine and then there was a powerful burst of gunfire.

''Everyone threw themselves under the seats and tried to protect themselves but some couldn't escape the bullets. It lasted a good 15 minutes, the police fired back but really, it was hard to handle and it still is now. I'm shocked. When we got off the bus we were asking ourselves why us and not others? We were asking ourselves what had happened, we were crying and thanking God.'' ...end excerpt. Full article linked above and here: Full article from SoccerNet

It's a sad day for football (soccer), these men, their families, and the nations of Togo and Angola. All involved need prayer.

[Tsukuyomi]

That's horrible T_____T

I'll be praying for all involved 8(

[TGJesusfreak]

That's sad... definitly going to be praying for the families and friends...

[TheSubtleDoctor]

Updates:

Updates from SoccerNet

So, Togo has finally officially withdrawn from the tournament, and a couple of arrests have been made. I, for one, am glad that the Togo FA did not succomb to the pressure to keep playing/treat the shooitng as a "non-event." This sort of horrific event should not be swept under the rug. Even players that were not injured need some trauma therapy and to get mentally healthy. They should not be asked to play, and thank goodness for a good head or two in the Togo FA.