Togo & the Cup Of Nations in Angola

Much furore this weekend about the sad events in Angola which saw three people die and several injured in a gun attack on the Togolese national Team coach en route to Cabinda City for the African Cup of Nations and whether the event should be allowed to continue. Emmanuel Adebayor's incredibly lucid and descriptive interview with the BBC just hours after the event convey some sense of the horror. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8449611.stm

I am struck by the unfortunate approach of many British and European media and the willingness to involve South Africa as hosts to this year's FIFA World Cup in the same argument about security. Yes it's the same sport, same continent but totally different geographies .Cabinda to Cape Town is approximately the same distance as London to Tunis. Nobody cancelled the Ashes Tour

I also feel for the organisers CAF and the national federation of Angola but the question remains, why on earth was a high profile National sports steam allowed to drive through a region that was so obviously dangerous?, cost,convenience or rank carelessness? . The decision making process that allowed that trip to take place is where the questions should focus not on a small African state's ability to host a major event.

My view is that the event should continue and the decision on Togo's involvement should rest entirely with the players and team management, they are the ones who have suffered, it is their call. We often hear and use the expression , "It's only a game and nobody dies", in this case someone did die and the group responsible have achieved their goal, cancelling the tournament would only serve to amplify their message a hundredfold. Play the tournament and give Togo all the support they need either way.