Malawi has requested for additional security to their football squad in Angola
10.01.2010
Malawi has requested for additional security to their football squad in Angola as Togo has pulled out of the African Cup of Nations soccer tournament after
three people died when the team bus was attacked by gunmen in Angola.
Malawi are due to open their Cup campaign against Algeria on Monday, but the team’s media liaison officer, Edward Gama is quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP),
a French news agency that the Flames were “concerned” with what has happened to Togo
“We have asked for our security to be increased to ensure the players’ safety during the tournament,” said Gama.
Malawi (1) -- Analyses -- 2010
More about the situation
10.01.2010
Togo captain and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor (pictured) told told BBC Radio Five Live in Britain early Saturday: “I think a lot of players want to leave. I don’t think they will be ready to give their life.”
Manchester City said in a statement on the club’s official website : “The club is in regular contact with Emmanuel, his advisors and the English Football Association.
“It has been made clear by manager Roberto Mancini and senior officials that Emmanuel will now be given as much time as he needs to recover from the horrific attack.”
According to various media reports, a separatist group, the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility for the attack.
“This operation is just the start of a series of planned actions that will continue to take place in the whole territory of Cabinda,” FLEC said in a statement.
An Angolan minister branded the attack an “act of terrorism” and the government said it would step up security.
Nonetheless the tournament is still set to go ahead, starting with Sunday’s opening match between Angola and Mali followed by a second game.
Bulgarian