Nations cup special with samkelvin

[Samkelvin]

As the 27th edition of the African Cup of Nations draws closer than ever, i shall be running a countdown and coverage of the event, beginning from today. We begin by looking at the different teams that will resume hostility from january 10th, in Angola. Group A- Angola, Mali, Malawi, Algeria. Group B- Côte d'ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo. Group C- Egypt, Nigeria, Mozambique, Benin. Group D- Cameroon, Gabon, Zambia, Tunisia. Having seen the groups, which teams do you consider as favourites? Which players will spark up the event? Which stars will be born in the tournament? So, share with us what you think! Tommorow, we shall be looking at the various stadiums to host the event and their capacities! See you then.

[Samchuky]

I dey wit u

[Okwyjesus]

endorsed....we are together

[Nigeria Scholar]

Keep d fire burning bro. Pls, let us all boldly stand up 2 cheer our team 2 victory. And nt only 2 victory, bt at d end lifting up d trophy 2 d sky. Cos dat is were d eagle need's 2 soar 2, the sky. Guys dat is d spirit of d new Nigeria.

[edithspecials]

Best team i ll want 2 gv 2 it c d "Eagles" players dt ll spark up d tournament " kanu, drogba, eto, mikel, song, essien, " & a host of ordas, wit God & hard work we r liftn d trophy

[Okwyjesus]

players dt ll spark up d tournament " kanu, drogba, eto, mikel, song, essien, "

This is where l belong.

FOR EAGLES.........................MAY GOD HELP THEM

[Samkelvin]

Well said, guys. Run into some group of guys, who were engrossed in an arguement. The bone of contention was that, does the super eagles truly possess world class players apart from kanu, that are in the class of drogba, etoo and essien? Don't ask me what i think...

[Samkelvin]

As promised, let us now take a look at the stadiums to host the event. Four different stadiums, have been selected to stage the tournment. The first is Estadio 11 de Novembro. It is located in the capital of Angola, Luanda, and has a capacity of 50,000. Next is Estadio Chimandela in Cabinda, with a capacity of 20,000. Also, we have the Complexo da sr. da Graca in Bonguela, with a 35,000 capacity. The super eagles will play their group matches here. Finally, is, the Estadio Alto da Chela in Lubango with 20,000 capacity.

[2ruce]

I justhope the pitch is good for the beautiful game of football, hope new stars be born n d established ones get 2 move into big clubs in europe. I think Drogba wil be the man 2 watch cause he's a player who wil give his all both 4 club n country unlike our Nigerian players...anyway i wish them the best, n as 4 Amodu(whom i believe is nt the best coach for the SE right nw), i pray he prove all his critics(which i happen 2 be part of) wrong by bringing the cup home. Even though i dont believe in Amodu i believe in Nigeria. DATZ D SPIRIT OF NAIJA!!!

[Samkelvin]

Let us now see the teams that have won the event previously. Egypt have won the cup for a record six times. They won it in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006 and 2008. Nigeria won the event in 1980 and 1994 only. Tunisia won it in 2004. Ghana won it in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. Côte d'ivoire were the champions in 1992, while Angola lifted the trophy in 1990. Cameroon were the winners in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002. So, who do you think will lift the trophy in 2010?

[Nigeria Scholar]

Keep it cuming @ samkelvin

[Okwyjesus]

If Cote d Ivoire didnt lift the trophy then l will know they are good 4 nothing. Thats my team this tornament, parading first class team in Africa, all in form and in good club.

[Okwyjesus]

l learnt TOGOLESE players were attached by armed Angolians. Their driver was killed and two players shot.

[Samkelvin]

You are right Okwy. It wasn't the best of fridays for African football. The players were attacked in Cabinda, a oil rich region in Angola. Two were shot & the driver died. CAF has insisted that the event will still kick-off tommorow as planned, despite the Togolese players threatening to bycott the event. What does all these say of African football as a whole?

[Samchuky]

Men dat one na big fuckup 4 african fotball. Left 4 me i would like d tournament 2 be postponed if not cancelled. Just like premiership managers re callin 4 d cancellation of d tournament.

[Nigeria Scholar]

Dis is really bad 4 africa football. Pls, does any 1 know d motive 4 dis sacrilage? Cos 2 me i tink d Angolan's authority need 2 answer sum questions.

[Okwyjesus]

                     TOGO HAS WITHDRAWN FROM NATIONS CUP
  :

[2ruce]

Mehn diz is realy bad!!!

[phronesis]

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6982056.ece

Togo pulled out of Africa Cup of Nations after gun attack kills three on team bus


Togo's footballers have been recalled from the Africa Cup of Nations by their government, as the death toll of a machine gun ambush on their team bus rose to at least three.

An assistant coach, press officer and driver were killed. Two players were shot and injured in Friday's attack.

The Angolan government and tournament officials had been pressing Togo to stay at the event, amid moves to heighten security.

But the team, captained by Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, were set to fly back to Lome, the Togolese capital, tomorrow after being officially advised to by their government.
Togolese minister Pascal Bodjona said in a statement: “The Togolese government has decided to call back the team. We could not continue the African Nations Cup in this dramatic situation."

Yesterday rebels sprayed the Togo bus with machinegun fire as it crossed into Cabinda, a disputed oil-rich Angolan territory within the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Messan Attelou, chief spokesman for Togo's soccer federation, said: "We lost the assistant coach and the press officer."

Togolese officials named the dead men as media officer Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo, and said reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale had been evacuated to Johannesburg for medical treatment.

But reports in France, home to Obilale's amateur club Pontivy, claimed he had died after being shot in the stomach.

Togo's first game in the tournament had been scheduled to take place on Monday against Ghana.

Angola's prime minister Paulo Kassoma today met with football officials in Luanda and pledged to heighten security for the event.

His office said in a statement: "The prime minister considers the incident in Cabinda as an isolated act and repeated that the security of Togo's team and the other squads is guaranteed.”

Togo’s exit could prompt others to follow. Alaixys Romao, Togo's midfield player, said earlier: "We're talking to the other teams in our group to try to convince them to boycott the competition too."

Phil Brown, manager of Hull City, called for his players – Gabon striker Daniel Cousin and Nigerian midfielder Seyi Olofinjana – to come home.

Brown said: "I have two players on duty and I want them home."

Several other Premier League clubs are also seeking assurances over the safety of their players, including Portsmouth who have four in Angola.

There are 31 footballers involved in the tournament who play in England’s top division.

Manchester City confirmed earlier that Adebayor, the Togo captain which is also their striker, would be returning home unharmed.

The attack, for which the rebel group Front for the Liberation of Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility, comes just six months before the continent hosts its first ever World Cup.

The 2010 World Cup, which begins in South Africa in June, is already subject to unprecedented security measures due to the country’s high crime rate.

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said the governing body had requested a report from Confederation of African Football (CAF) into how security had failed at the current tournament.

”FIFA is in touch with the African confederation and it‘s president, Issa Hayatou, from which it expects a full report on the situation.”

Former Togo coach Otto Pfister said the assault would cast a shadow over the World Cup. “This is a real blow for Africa. It will obviously be linked directly with the World Cup now.”

Despite the attack, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma will still attend Sunday’s opening ceremony as planned, his spokesman said.

Danny Jordaan, head of the South Africa World Cup organising committee said the attack should not prompt concerns about 2010 World Cup.

"I think everybody understands it has nothing to do with South Africa," he said.

"When there was a bomb in London no-one said we should not have 2012 in London so we cannot have double standards."

"I don't think the world has ever asked one country to take responsibility for what happens in another country."

[phronesis]

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

Togo 'will play in Africa Cup of Nations'

Togo's football team has decided to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, even though the government withdrew it after a deadly attack on Friday, players say.

Thomas Dossevi told the AFP news agency the players wanted to stay in Angola to honour the three people who were killed when rebels fired on their bus.

L'Equipe quoted Alaixys Romao as saying the team would not leave like cowards. But a spokesman for Togo's government told AFP news agency it was standing by its decision to call the team home.

Togo has demanded Angola explain why it was not warned of the dangers of travel in Cabinda, where the bus was ambushed. Angolan officials had earlier expressed astonishment that the team had travelled there by road from their base in the Republic of Congo.

On Saturday, government spokesman Pascal Bodjona said Togo's players were returning home because they were in a state of shock.

"We cannot in such a dramatic circumstance continue in the Africa Cup of Nations," he told reporters.
He reiterated that message on Sunday, saying: "The government is maintaining its decision to call the team back home."

Manchester City, the club of Togo's captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, had already said on its website that he was returning to the UK - and reports suggest he still wants to leave.

But following a late-night meeting on Saturday, two players said the team was determined to stay.
"We are all heartbroken, it is no longer a party, but we want to show our national colours, our values and that we are men," said Thomas Dossevi.

"It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities," he added.
   
Oil-rich province cut off from the rest of Angola by DR Congo Flec rebels fought for region's independence Rebels laid down arms in 2006 but some unrest continues Angola had dismissed concerns about staging games there.

Alaixys Romao also said the decision had been unanimous. "We have just had a meeting of the whole delegation and we will be on the pitch on Monday to face Ghana," he said.

"People have died for the Africa Cup of Nations, others have been injured. We can't let them down and leave like cowards," he added. "If we stay here it's for them, but also not to give any satisfaction to the rebels. Our government does not necessarily agree with us but we are all determined to play this competition."

Meanwhile, Kodzo Samlan, a spokesman for the tournament organisers, the Confederation of African Football (Caf), said he had spoken to Togo's players and "they confirmed they want to play".

Mr Samlan said Caf was still waiting for official confirmation from Togo's government.
Caf had earlier said it understood Togo's withdrawal, but that the six other matches scheduled to be played in Cabinda would go ahead.

In Friday's attack, several gunmen opened fire on the Togo team bus shortly after it had crossed from the Republic of Congo into the enclave of Cabinda.

Angola has increased security for all teams and at all venues. Adebayor told the BBC the players and support staff were trapped on the bus for 30 minutes as Angolan police fought the attackers. They eventually had to flee under fire to get into the vehicles sent to rescue them, he said.

Togolese officials said the driver had died at the scene, while media officer Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo died later in hospital.

The separatist rebel Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), which has fought for independence for several decades but entered into a ceasefire in 2006, later claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Angolan government, which had hoped the tournament would show how well it had recovered from the fighting, called the incident an "act of terrorism".

CAF president Issa Hayatou said he had received a guarantee that security would be increased for all teams and at all venues.

The bi-annual Africa Cup of Nations begins with the hosts playing Mali in Luanda at 1900 GMT.