Luanda, Jan 11 (DPA) As the Africa Cup of Nations opened Sunday in the Angolan capital of Luanda, confusion remained whether Togo would honour their opening Group B fixture in Cabinda Monday following a deadly attack on their team bus Friday.
The low-key opening ceremony however was overshadowed by the death of three members of the Togolese delegation who were killed when the bus they were travelling in came under attack from Cabinda separatists.
The bus driver as well as the assistant coach Abalo Amnalete and the team’s spokesman Stanislas Ocloo died during the attack.
Some reports said the team returning to Togo Sunday, whilst others said the players had initially decided to leave, but then changed their minds.
Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos formally opened the 27th Africa Cup of Nations and in his speech delivered in Portuguese, referred to the incident.
Watched by several dignitaries including the president of football’s controlling body FIFA, Joseph Blatter and the president of the African controlling body CAF, as well as South African president Jacob Zuma, a near capacity crowd of 50,000 in the Nov 11 National Stadium watched a display showing cultural potential of the country.
The show was divided into various stages of Angolan history, including colonialism, resistance and independence.
Earlier Sunday Confederation of African Football (CAF) spokesman Kodzo Samlan was quoted as saying the Togolese players wanted to play, while the country’s Prime Minister Gilbert Huongbo has demanded the team return home.
Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, who Saturday said that he wanted to go home, told French radio station RMC Sunday that the players had discussed the issue and the majority of them wanted to compete in the tournament.
“We are staying in the same accommodation as Ghana and the Ivory Coast and we discussed it with players from the other sides and we decided that we wanted to stay.
“However, when I spoke to the Head of the State of the country this morning, he told me that the presidential plane was on its way to fetch us.
“The Head of State has called us, so we have to return to Togo.” The Manchester City striker said he expected to land in the Togo capital of Lome later Sunday.
Jonathan Ayite, who plays for Nimes in France, said that even though the majority of players wanted to stay and play, it was not really up to them.
“We are willing to represent our country, but we are also willing to listen to our Head of State. At this stage, not a single player has left Angola.”
Earlier Sunday, doctors treating reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who was airlifted to South Africa and underwent an operation Saturday, said that they were happy with the progress of the 25-year-old.
The head of the trauma unit, Professor Elias Degiannis said that although it was very early on, he was satisfied with the progress.
“He is being kept ventilated and sedated in the trauma intensive care unit where he will remain until such time as we are satisfied with his condition.”
The Pontivy player was one of several people injured when the Togolese team bus came under attack as they were driving to their Cup of Nations base in Cabinda.
Togo have been drawn into Group B together with the Ivory Coast, Mali and Ghana.
The Ghana Football Association meanwhile, has confirmed the Black Stars will be competing in Cabinda after being assured of “total security” in the wake of the terror attack.
rounak