ZolaIs it only me who's gobsmacked that ACN is not cancelled after the attack on Togolese team bus? How can officials of the other nations put their heads into their pillows when knowing there's possibility that the next bit of news they'll get is of bomb going off in their team's hotel?

How can the players be still there, concentrate and get on with their game? Am I failing to see something very obvious here?

11.01.2010

FeriAtsI guess, the main point is not to be intimidated by terrorism. If a bunch of blokes with AK47s can hold a major tournement to ransom, we will never have a World Cup, European Cup or Olympics.

11.01.2010

ZolaBut why would anyone choose a civil war torn country to host games? Isn't it like preapring a rod for one's own back?

12.01.2010

CaptainGerardTheres' talk of safety concerns in South Affrica. Any real reason to be worried? Or is it just press pumping up hot air?

12.01.2010

Robert O'CarlosThere was talk about safety concerns in SA long before the Angola incident. Stories about violence, journalists being ripped off and threatened during the tournament there last year.
:-(

I personally think it has to be a leap of faith giving football tournaments to African countries. FIFA could wait an eternity for a risk-free situation otherwise.

All in all, it's like FeriAts says. If you're going to retreat after incidents like this, you set the cause of African football back by decades.
:-)

12.01.2010

FeriAtsThe security concerns in SA is more about petty crime I suppose. It's a lot lighter than civi unrest. We won't see a team bus attacked.

For fans travelling there, well, I guess some common sense goes a long way.

13.01.2010