The attack of the Togolese national football team prior to the start of this year's African Cup of Nations has shown how far footballing authorities are willing to handle tragedies such as this. Now the 'Blitz spirit' is certainly a laudable characteristic to have. Showing strength in the face of adversity is what pulled New Yorkers through after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Londoners through the July 7th 2005 terrorist attacks (as well as aforementioned blitz), however, to place such expectations on the Togo players is disrespectful at least.
The attack took place as the Togo team bus passed from the Democratic Republic of Congo's 'Polish corridor' into the exclave of Cabinda. Shortly after crossing the border, a group from Cabinda secessionist militia organisation FLEC machine-gun attacked the bus in an attack that took, according to the players, anything from 15 minutes to more than 30. As a result of the ambush, the Togolese team press-officer, the assistant coach and bus driver, of Angolan descent, had been confirmed dead. With the ensuing chaos, reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale had been reported as having died (resulting with a fury of activity on his Wikipedia page). Obilale is currently recuperating in hospital having had surgery and his condition is stable.
The Togolese captain and Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor stated he had wanted to leave the tournament, that players were upset, shocked and were unlikely to sleep. A flurry of reports and discussion boards covered the prospect and impact of the withdrawal of Togo, though not the attacks themselves. The one thing that could be taken for certain was that the players of the Togo team would want to be anywhere that wasn't Angola, preferably home. The diplomatic game of tennis that followed really showed some disrespect for those inside that bus during the attacks.
In one hand, there are the tournament organisers, the CAF and the government of Angola for whom the attacks have come as bad PR, a far way away from what the Togolese have felt. Comments made from Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos don't fully serve as any sort of sympathy as thoughts remain fully with the welfare of the tournament: "we fully condemn this act of terror, but the competition will continue in Cabinda. We are together, may the best man win." With that, the plan to have Cabinda stage matches for the Cup of Nations as a way of showing the progress that a war-torn area can make and to help regenerate the area has failed in it's first stride. It's unlikely that the Togolese government are going to get their apology from the dos Santos or the CAF for sending their players to Cabinda to play football.
The only party where there seems to be any genuine concern for the welfare of those attacked has been from the Togolese government who have been swift in getting the team home. Perhaps, it may be argued that the actions of their Prime Minister, Gilbert Huongbo has been a little too involved, given the way FIFA do not allow for interference from politicians and governments in the affairs of their member associations. The French media were the first to report that the Togolese players wanted to play on and this was confirmed by Thomas Dossevi who was quoted as saying they wanted to play on in memory of their dead. Adebayor later confirmed that on advice of the Togolese government, they were to return to Togo. As the kick-off for their opening match with Ghana passes, the CAF confirm Togo have been disqualified - which is where the interest in the handling of this lies.
It's almost certain that for this situation to be handled with any sort of decorum, then the CAF would need a specific protocol with any sort of guidebook they go by if a team is gunned down by terrorists. The severity seems to have not been taken fully into account given that whatever the players seem to have decided to do, either their government or the CAF have other ideas. This is a highly traumatic incident where related mental disorders develop from and the actions of event organisers seem only to protect their product. It is also an incident that isn't going to be covered by any existing protocol but where some basic human understanding will definitely come into effect. The first solution would be to let the players leave for home and deal with the emotional battering they had received. If however, playing their sport would be the best way for them to handle their ordeal then this enters a diplomatic situation where those involved will define their best interests. If any third party is to do that, then that would have to be at the advice of psychologists rather than politicians. The CAF's action of non-action and to let the event slide until their due kick-off on Monday against Ghana has been a missed opportunity, in World Cup year on their continent, to show that they are able to act in a positive manner. To confirm their disqualification as that time passes though, is as close to disrespect to the three dead as it is going to get.
The CAF's show is going on however and the football is proving to be eventful in it's opening stages. The opening ceremony was elaborate and entertaining, Angola's capitulation to Mali in the opening game was thrilling, the fancied Ivory Coast were held 0-0 to Burkina Faso and Algeria, who defeated five-time Egypt 1-0 in a heated World-Cup play-off prior to the tournament, were dispatched 3-0 by Malawi. On the pitch, the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations is proving to be an absolute gem of a tournament and a mouth-watering starter to the summer's World Cup in South Africa. Unfortunately, it is also likely to be overshadowed by the tragedy to have befallen the Togolese team at the start. While it'd be great to have the football be so enthralling that it takes away from the ills of the world, it would be just a great a tragedy if it affects how people are helped, looked after and treated should such a tragedy happen again.
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