Several players reported injured in attack on Togo team bus in Angola ahead of African Cup

By Samuel Petrequin, AP
Friday, January 8, 2010

Togo team bus attacked by gunmen in Angola

LUANDA, Angola — An official says at least six people are wounded after gunmen fired on a bus carrying football players from the West African nation of Togo to a tournament in Angola.

Togo Football Federation Vice President Gabriel Ameyi told The Associated Press that the team was attacked Friday while traveling by road to the African Cup of Nations tournament.

The wounded include two players, two team doctors, a driver and a journalist traveling with the team. Ameyi identified the wounded athletes as Obilale Kossi and Serge Akakpo.

Angola’s main oil-producing region has been plagued by unrest. Human rights groups have accused the military of atrocities and claim government officials have embezzled millions. The government has denied the charges.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PARIS (AP) — French media reports say a bus carrying the Togo national soccer team has been attacked by gunfire in Angola.

Togo striker Thomas Dossevi tells radio station RMC that “several players are in a bad state.” He says the team was “shot at like dogs” by hooded gunmen who were “armed to the teeth.”

Another player, Alaixys Romao, says he believes seven people were hit by machine gunfire, including two players.

The players were traveling by bus into Angola from neighboring Congo, where they had been training. It is not clear exactly where the attack happened.

The team is competing in the 16-country African Cup of Nations, which starts Sunday. Togo is to play its opening match Monday against Ghana.

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