Togo team bus driver killed, nine players wounded

Updated on: 09 January,2010 07:25 AM IST |
AFP |

The driver of the bus carrying Togo's side to the African Nations Cup in Angola was killed in an ambush yesterday that left nine others wounded, the head of the Togolese football federation told AFP

The driver of the bus carrying Togo's side to the African Nations Cup in Angola was killed in an ambush yesterday that left nine others wounded, the head of the Togolese football federation told AFP.

The driver of a bus in the team convoy was shot dead when bullets were sprayed at the vehicles as they crossed into the troubled Angolan province of Cabinda from Congo-Brazzaville.

Many dived under the seats on the bus when the gunfire started. Squad member Thomas Dossevi said the squad had been "fired on like dogs".
Two players, goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale and defender Serge Akakpo were among the wounded, Dossevi told AFP.

"One of them (Akakpo) took a bullet in the back and the other (Obilale) was hit in the kidneys," Dossevi said. "The assailants were hooded and armed to the teeth. We stayed under the seats for 20 minutes. It was horrible."

Obilale plays at French fifth division side GSI Pontivy while Akakpo plays with Romanian outfit Vaslui.
The other two wounded were the team's goalkeeping coach and doctor. All were being treated in a hospital in the provincial capital, Cabinda.

Togo is captained by Emmanuel Adebayor. The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility the attack.