LOS ANGELES (YBH.ME) – The African Cup of Nations soccer tournament in Angola was meant to be part of a national comeback for the war-torn country, but instead, the planned festivities were marred by violence on Friday.
Togo Team
Two members of the Togo national team were injured in an ambush of a Cup-bound bus convoy near the Angolan border. The bus driver was killed. The bus was peppered with about 30 minutes of machine gun fire. Players cowered under their seats until the shooters withdrew and aid arrived. The Front for the Liberation of Cabinda has taken credit for the attack. Cabinda province is the site of much of Angolan oil production, and a common target for rebels.
The Togo team has pulled out of the competition. Togo Football Federation vice president Gabriel Ameyi opined that the team should have flown to Angola instead of traveling by road. Defender Serge Akakpo and backup goalkeeper Kodjovi Obalale were the players that were hurt in the melee.
Post colonial Africa has been roiled by conflict for at least 30 years. South Africa will be the first African nation to host the World Cup this summer.
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Laura spent years as a Hollywood story analyst, did a big 180, and is now an entrepreneur focused on web marketing and analytics. She's also a mom of one.Laura Glendinning article archive.
