By Duncan Mackay
January 31 – Egypt’s 1-0 victory over Ghana in Luanda to win the African Cup of Nations for a third consecutive time today has been overshadowed by the anger of Togo at the decision to ban them from the next two editions of the tournament following their withdrawal after the terrorist attack on them before the event starts.
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor led the protests, calling for Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou to step down after what he claimed was “monstrous” decision.
The Manchester City striker was on the Togo team bus when it was attacked in the northern province of Cabinda by gunmen two days before the start of the tournament on January 10.
An assistant coach and team spokesman were killed in the attack.
“Mr Hayatou has done much for Africa but now he must clear off,” Adebayor said on the website of sports daily L’Equipe.
“This decision is monstrous.”
Adebayor was unhurt in the attack and played for City in a last week’s Carling Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United last week and scored in his side’s 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in the Premier League today.
He had hoped to be playing for Togo in the final but instead it was left to Egypt to earn some compensation for missing out on the World Cup finals in South Africa when substitute Mohamed Gedo scored the only goal of the match against Ghana with five minutes remaining.
CAF said Togo had initially wanted to stay in the tournament but were called back by the Togolese Government, resulting in the ban due to political interference.
Adebayor was furious with CAF’s explanation.
“They’re laughing in everybody’s face,” he said.
“[Togo president Faure Gnassingbe] sent us to the [African Cup] to defend the colours of our nation.
“He judged that the threat to our team had not been removed and called us back to the country.
“We are only ambassadors.
“We had to go back.”
Togo will appeal the suspension, the country’s Sports Minister Christophe Tchao promised.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.s1733811659emage1733811659htedi1733811659sni@y1733811659akcam1733811659.nacn1733811659ud1733811659.
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