Dumb decision results in bloody tragedy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/01/2010 (6074 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I raised an eyebrow when I first saw the list of host cities for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

Despite my limited knowledge of tournament patron Angola, staging matches in Cabinda seemed something akin to running through Ulster with a Union Jack during The Troubles.

An oil-rich, breakaway province in Angola’s north, Cabinda is separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of Congo, which cuts through the region like a dagger.

A shaky peace agreement was reached between the federal government and a handful of rebel factions in 2006, but Cabinda’s persistent instability remains a reminder of Angola’s violent, sectarian past.

That’s why it’s astounding that Cup of Nations organizers dared to use Cabinda’s Chimandela Stadium to host seven matches during the competition.

It was always going to be a risky gamble, but one that president Jose Eduardo dos Santos hoped would present an image of a unified Angola to the international community.

Turns out he overplayed his hand. Big time. On Friday afternoon — just two days before the first match of the event — the Togolese team bus was sprayed with machine-gun fire by Cabindan rebels.

The bus driver was killed immediately, and at least seven others were injured. Goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale and defender Serge Akakpo remain in hospital.

Police officers accompanying the team returned the rebel fire, and the shootout lasted longer than 15 minutes.

Togo is now likely to withdraw from the tournament. Midfielder Alaixys Romao told his country’s official news agency that none of his teammates were capable of playing their opening match against Ghana on Monday. “We’re thinking first of all about the health of our injured because there was a lot of blood on the ground,” he said.

Togo’s shock and devastation is being felt throughout Africa. This Cup of Nations, after all, was received by Angola as a reward for exponential economic growth and relative stability in a volatile region.

Since the end of the 27-year civil war in 2002, Angola’s economy has ballooned by double digits annually, and life expectancy is beginning a steady climb upward.

Those things haven’t changed, but the perception of Angola as a model to sub-Saharan Africa certainly has.

The real tragedy, however, was that the incident was totally avoidable. Yes, the problem of a secessionist state has its challenges. But Angola is not alone in that.

When Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup, they left Basque capital Vitoria off their list of host cities. Yugoslavia avoided Sarajevo, now the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, during Euro ’76.

Angola, by comparison, placed the Cup of Nations’ most compelling group in its most dangerous city.

A group of hopeful, energetic young men paid the price for it, and the tournament — however successful from here — will carry this scar with it forever. Angola may very well do the same.

Spot kicks

A winter wallop has claimed five Premier League matches as casualties. Chelsea-Hull, Liverpool-Tottenham, Fulham-Portsmouth, Stoke-Burnley and Sunderland-Bolton have been postponed, and there are serious doubts as to the viability of Birmingham City-Manchester United.

Manchester City unveiled new signing Patrick Vieira on Friday. The 33-year-old midfielder will wear number 24 and could make his debut for the club against Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

Juventus midfielder Tiago will spend the next six months on loan at Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side is expecting to lose winger Maxi Rodriguez to Liverpool.

jerradpeters@gmail.com

Matches to watch

Arsenal vs. Everton, today, 9 a.m., Setanta.

Birmingham City vs. Manchester United, today, 11:30 a.m., Setanta.

Villarreal vs. Almeria, today, 3 p.m., GolTV.

Tenerife vs. Barcelona, Sunday, 2 p.m., GolTV.