CABINDA, Angola: Angolan police grilled two suspects in a deadly shooting attack by separatist rebels on Togo’s team which cast a long shadow Monday over the start of Africa’s premier football tournament.
The pair were arrested in Cabinda, an Angolan enclave inside the Democratic Republic of Congo, close to the scene of Friday’s attack which ended with the death of the squad’s assistant coach and media spokesman.
“Two assailants were captured on Friday, one a few minutes after the attack and the second at the border while crossing into Congo-Brazzaville,” Cabinda’s deputy governor Macario Lembe said.
“The first suspect was injured in his left thigh by police who responded when he opened fire from a tree at the Togolese bus.” Officials said the two suspects were part of a group of five gunmen who launched the attack with automatic weapons. The other three managed to escape.
The Togolese team withdrew from the African Cup of Nations following the attack and left Angola on Sunday evening for home following orders from their government, despite appeals by the players to be allowed to stay.
“It’s very sad. It’s hard for Africa and for us,” Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor said at the airport in Cabinda.
“These things are part of life, you have to accept it,” the Manchester City striker added.
The tournament was meant to showcase Angola’s recovery after a 27-year civil war, which ended in 2002.
Out of cup
Meanwhile, Togo will be disqualified from finals if they do not show up for Monday’s Group B match against Ghana in Cabinda, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Monday.
Togo’s Prime Minister Gilbert Huongbo has denied the country wants to re-enter the Africa Cup of Nations.
There have been numerous conflicting reports since concerning the team’s continued participation in the event.
Huongbo admitted there was confusion but said there was no chance of Togo fulfilling Monday’s match against Ghana or any other games in the tournament.
Huongbo’s assertion came despite claims from Togo’s sports minister, Christophe Tchao, that a formal request had been made to return after a three-day period of mourning.
That request was turned down by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), who said that Togo would be disqualified if they failed to play Monday’s group match against Ghana.
Togo’s opponents Ghana have been told to proceed as if the match, scheduled to kick off at 1830 GMT, was still going ahead, even though Togo left Angola on Sunday evening to return home following the deadly attack on their team bus last week.
“We have not heard anything official from them. They have never officially told us they are not going to play or they are going to play. We are only hearing from them in the media,” a senior CAF said.
“The referee has been ordered to start the match and if Togo are not there, then they will be declared to have withdrawn and be disqualified.” It is not clear whether Ghana will have to go through the pretence of preparing for the match and taking to the pitch. A decision will be made closer to the kickoff, the official said.
