January 11th, 2010
Togo Withdraw From The African Cup Of Nations
Mali players observe a minute’s silence in honour of those killed on Friday.
“I think a lot of players want to leave. I don’t think they want to be at this tournament any more because they have seen their death already… Most of the players want to go back to their family. No one can sleep after what they have seen.”
–Emmanuel Adebayor, speaking about Togo’s exit from the African Nations Cup after the shooting of the team bus en route to Angola on Friday afternoon. Many of the players called their families from bus to say their goodbyes, thinking they would not survive.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that passed in this horrific terrorist attack. Football is life, but it shouldn’t take lives.
Link: African Cup Of Nations Kicks Off But Togo Gone
What happened is really horrible, and they are right to want to go home. Things like that should not happen to anybody, but it does bring you closer to the ones you love. I don't think a person fully overcomes a situation like that, but I truly hope they can feel a bit better as soon as possible
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My prayers, thoughts and sympathy go out to all those who lost a loved one or who are somehow connected.
I’m worry about our boys in WC10 South Africa
My condolences and sympathies to everyone affected. So very sad.
Its very sad what happened. Im glad the Togo squad went back home, i cant imagine the trauma. Its sad as well to see that europe has once again failed to differentiate between african countries. Angola is NOT south africa. if there is a bombing in france you never hear anyone worrying about their family in another european country. but now they are trying once again to smear our hosting of the world cup.
My sympathy to them. Horrible, horrible news.
Can you imagine being on the receiving end of one of those phone calls? My sympathy to all of them (yes, even Adebayor…I’m an Arsenal fan).
Thankfully, the goalkeeper wasn't killed, he's on intensive care right now and his condition is stable.
In my part of the world, sadly football was always closely tied with politics and sometimes proper brutality. But nothing like this… It's as shocking as ever.
My heart goes out to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims… and hopes for the safety of everyone else.
It's a real tragedy… they should go home immediately not pushed to play like nothing happened.
Wow.
Were any players actually killed? Cause they are talking about people dying, but I don't understand who, tragically, died in this horrible attack?
My thoughts are with everyone involved.
the bus driver died, in total 3, not sure who though- prayers to all, especially those who lost a loved one
The coach driver, the assistant coach and the reserve goalkeeper were reported to have been the ones killed, I think. Just so horrific, my thoughts are with all the families.
I actually heard it was the assistant coach, the driver, and the press/spokes person for the team. still, the fact that any of them died and everyone else was affected is tragic. things shouldn’t be like this.
Yeah I heard tha too…as far as I know, no players were killed but it is such a horrible thing…my thoughts are with their families and friends…