Africa Cup of NationsVenue and dates: Angola, 10-31 January Coverage: Final and semi-finals live on BBC TV, BBC World Service and commentaries on BBC Sport website. Live commentary on opening match on BBC World Service and BBC Sport website
The 27th Africa Cup of Nations is due to kick off in Angola on Sunday
Togo’s players have said they would prefer to pull out of the Africa Cup of Nations after shots were fired at their team bus in northern Angola on Friday.
Two players were injured after gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in Cabinda.
Premier League clubs have asked for players to be sent home if their safety cannot be guaranteed but organisers have said the tournament will go ahead.
„If it is possible, there should be a boycott, said Togo’s Alaixys Romao, who plays for Grenoble in France.
„Why not cancel all the matches? We just want to go home.”
Our players’ safety is paramount and if that can’t be guaranteed the players should be sent home
Portsmouth spokesman
Team-mate Thomas Dossevi of Nantes, one of nine France-based players in the Togo squad, said: „We don’t want to play this African Cup of Nations.
„We’re thinking about our team-mates – to be hit by bullets when you’ve come to play football is disgusting.”
The driver of the team’s bus was killed in the incident, while nine others were injured including two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.
Togo defender Serge Akakpo, who plays for Romanian club Vaslui, was hit by two bullets in the attack in Angola’s oil-rich territory of Cabinda, which is due to host seven matches.
Akakpo has undergone successful surgery, while reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who plays for French club GSI Pontivy, was also wounded.
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou were among the players who emerged unharmed from the attack.
„Club officials have spoken with Adebayor and, though shaken by the terrible events, he is unharmed,” said a City statement.
„The club would like to send its condolences to the family of the driver and sends best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
„We are currently in talks with the Football Association over what may happen next.”
Villa boss Martin O’Neill expressed his shock at the incident and relief that Salifou was not among the injured.
„The club have been in contact with him and he has reassured us that he is okay but he is extremely shocked and upset, which he would be in these circumstances.”
Portsmouth have four players at the tournament and club spokesman Gary Double said they had sought reassurance from the English Football Association and Fifa about their players’ security.
„Our players’ safety is paramount and if that can’t be guaranteed the players should be sent home,” he said.

Read the article on BBC News

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Africa Cup of NationsVenue and dates: Angola, 10-31 January Coverage: Final and semi-finals live on BBC TV, BBC World Service and commentaries on BBC Sport website. Live commentary on opening match on BBC World Service and BBC Sport website
The 27th Africa Cup of Nations is due to kick off in Angola on Sunday
Togo’s players have said they would prefer to pull out of the Africa Cup of Nations after shots were fired at their team bus in northern Angola on Friday.
Two players were injured after gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in Cabinda.
Premier League clubs have asked for players to be sent home if their safety cannot be guaranteed but organisers have said the tournament will go ahead.
„If it is possible, there should be a boycott, said Togo’s Alaixys Romao, who plays for Grenoble in France.
„Why not cancel all the matches? We just want to go home.”
Our players’ safety is paramount and if that can’t be guaranteed the players should be sent home
Portsmouth spokesman
Team-mate Thomas Dossevi of Nantes, one of nine France-based players in the Togo squad, said: „We don’t want to play this African Cup of Nations.
„We’re thinking about our team-mates – to be hit by bullets when you’ve come to play football is disgusting.”
The driver of the team’s bus was killed in the incident, while nine others were injured including two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.
Togo defender Serge Akakpo, who plays for Romanian club Vaslui, was hit by two bullets in the attack in Angola’s oil-rich territory of Cabinda, which is due to host seven matches.
Akakpo has undergone successful surgery, while reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who plays for French club GSI Pontivy, was also wounded.
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou were among the players who emerged unharmed from the attack.
„Club officials have spoken with Adebayor and, though shaken by the terrible events, he is unharmed,” said a City statement.
„The club would like to send its condolences to the family of the driver and sends best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
„We are currently in talks with the Football Association over what may happen next.”
Villa boss Martin O’Neill expressed his shock at the incident and relief that Salifou was not among the injured.
„The club have been in contact with him and he has reassured us that he is okay but he is extremely shocked and upset, which he would be in these circumstances.”
Portsmouth have four players at the tournament and club spokesman Gary Double said they had sought reassurance from the English Football Association and Fifa about their players’ security.
„Our players’ safety is paramount and if that can’t be guaranteed the players should be sent home,” he said.

Read the article on BBC News

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