TOGO: Togolese fans disappointed after their squad is officially disqualified from Nations Cup

Record ID: 788761

  • Title: TOGO: Togolese fans disappointed after their squad is officially disqualified from Nations Cup
  • Date: 13th January 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (French) ABDOUL RAZAK MASSASSABA, TOGOLESE FAN, SAYING: "The CAF is right because we can't leave a competition like this, and come back after a match. Normally Togo should have played the match with Ghana this Monday, and then we declare three days of mourning. What's that supposed to mean? If Togo can't play their first match with Ghana, how will they sort out the rest of the competition? They only wanted to play the last two matches?" VARIOUS OF AIME EKPE, SPORT JOURNALIST
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Togo
  • Country: Togo
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3OLTNOI56BR55JYH0SR7603BX
  • Story Text: Togolese fans in Lome were disappointed as they watched other countries play in the African Nations Cup on Monday (January 11) after their squad was officially disqualified from the competition following the deadly gun attack on their bus in Cabinda two days earlier.
    Monday's Group B match between Togo and Ghana had been scheduled as the second part of a doubleheader. Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast shared a 0-0 draw in the first game at the new Chazi Stadium in Cabinda.
    The attack on Friday (January 8) took place shortly after the Togo team's bus crossed into Cabinda from the Republic of Congo.
    The team were brought home by their government on Sunday together with the bodies of their assistant coach and media officer to begin three days of mourning, as Africa's biggest soccer event got under way.
    Togo's sports minister and several players had said they hoped the tournament schedule could be changed to let the team return later and honour their dead colleagues by playing.
    But the Confederation of African Football said this was impossible. "They are disqualified," CAF co-ordinator Yaouba Amoa told reporters.
    Togo midfielder Thomas Dossevi described the CAF decision as "ridiculous," and some Togolese fans watching the Cup on TV in Lome agreed.
    "Our footballers wanted to play, but the CAD decided otherwise. Personally I don't agree with CAF's decision. Their decision is not fair. This CAN competition should have been an opportunity for our players to show what they can do. I am not at all pleased by the punishment CAF gave us," said Aime Atiglo, a Togolese fan watching a Cup match on TV in Lome.
    Others thought it was the right thing to do.
    "The CAF is right because we can't leave a competition like this, and come back after a match. Normally Togo should have played the match with Ghana this Monday, and then we declare three days of mourning. What's that supposed to mean? If Togo can't play their first match with Ghana, how will they sort out the rest of the competition? They only wanted to play the last two matches?" said another Togolese fan Abdoul Razak Massassaba.
    Togo left Angola on a chartered flight sent to collect them after the attack but had expressed the hope they might be able to return and compete at the tournament.
    Several players spoke of their willingness to play on but they were ordered home by Togo's government.
    The CAF official said it would be impossible to change the tournament schedule.
    "The CAF have ignored everything that could have been, if you like, a matter as respect for our country," said Aime Ekpe, a Togolese sports journalist.
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