RIP @ CAN 2010: An Adition under the sign of mourning © copyright ® Africa News24
The CAN 2010, contested in Angola, saw Egypt win their sixth title, setting a record never equaled. But she was especially bereaved by the terrorist attack of which the Togolese delegation was victim in the enclave of Cabinda.
Funeral for members of Togo after the terrorist attack at CAN 2010
If it was necessary to establish an objective classification of the final stages of the African Cup of Nations which left the worst memories, that of 2010 could largely claim first place. Not because of the level of play, neither worse nor better than usual, or the poor quality of the lawns of the four stadiums (Luanda, Benguela, Lubango and Cabinda) selected to host the 16 selections, but because of a terrorist act targeting the Togolese delegation on January 9 in Cabinda. And nothing could erase the trauma of this cowardly act – which is the very principle of terrorism – which grieved Togo in particular and Africa in general.
On January 8, the Togolese, returning from an internship in Pointe-Noire (Congo), join the bus to Cabinda, 150 km away. The vehicle transporting them was then attacked by members of the Front for the Liberation of the State of Cabinda (FLEC), a movement created in 1963 to fight against the colonial power that was then Portugal, despite the imposing escort of the Angolan army.
Abalo Amelete, the assistant coach, and Stanislas Odoo, the press secretary, are seriously affected and will succumb to the hospital the next day. Several players, including goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilalé and Serge Akakpo, also suffered serious injuries. The first, paralyze d, will never play football again. Other members of the delegation were also hit by militia bullets, but less seriously.
The heartbreaking attitude of CAF
CAF, which had not expressed the slightest reservation when it learned from Angola that matches would take place in an area deemed dangerous, will then multiply the faults. First, putting long hours to react officially. Then by reproaching the Togolese for having chosen the land route to get to Cabinda, without expressing the slightest compassion towards the victims. The body will even forget to provide psychological help to the Togolese, a step that the Angolan authorities will not even bother to carry out, and will decide that the matches planned in Cabinda were maintained.
The Togolese, traumatized by the odious act which targeted them and disillusioned by the lightness of the CAF in the management of the tragedy, decide to forfeit and return to Lomé. Ridiculous to the end, CAF, then chaired by Cameroonian Issa Hayatou , endorses the package of the Hawks, and finds nothing smarter to do than suspend Togo for the next two editions. A gruesome sanction finally canceled a few months later, thanks to the intervention of Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA.
Egypt sacred for the sixth time
Otherwise, in the midst of human and moral disaster, Egypt won its sixth title – the third in a row – by beating Ghana in the final (1-0) thanks to a late goal scored by Mohamed Afash Gedo. Nigeria finished in 3rd place, after their short success against Algeria (1-0). As for Angola, eliminated in the quarter-finals by the Ghanaian Black Stars (0-1), it will have at least once provided the spectacle during the opening match, by achieving the feat of drawing against Mali. (4-4) after leading 4-0 until the 79th minute. No, really, no one has fond memories of this CAN.
