Should Walter Smith consider requesting that Bougherra be sent back to Glasgow??

[wabashcannonball 0]

Unfortunately, sport in general and morality are distinct opposites. The Corinthian principles were and have been sacrificed to the altar of the cash cow. Nothing that sport hitches its cart to surprises me, as in other fields life is a very cheap commodity. Just look around the world at all the other catastrophes and injustices that Mamon turns it face away from.

[John Barr 0]

Did the report not say that the Togo team travelled by bus through an area where there is a separatist movement ? Angolan authorities expressed their surprise that Togo didnt fly into the capital and travel to their game from that point.

 

It seems the reason it happened was the particular province where it happened has rebels. Doesnt mean the whole country is dangerous though.

 

I voted no but only really because it is unlikely to happen anyway so would be futile. So long as Algeria compete then Bougherra will want to be there. Smith requesting his return wont make a blind bit of difference.

 

They never explained why they got abus, but it sounded like they had already flown in from Togo, and were either going to their hotel or to training.

 

Emanuel Adebayor said at first he thought it was a robbery until they kept shooting. They were on the bus hiding for up to 30mins whilst the shooting went on.

 

Not sure if that means their was armed guards on the bus who returned fire because i think if there wasn't the terrorist group could've murdered the whole bus if they had wanted.

 

In that respect, it sounded like they wanted to make a point, which they did.

 

I too voted No, but that's not really a fair point of view since i don't understand the reasons behind what happened. I think the organisers want to continue with the African Nations Cup to send a message back, that terrorism will not interupt everyday business.

 

Sounds like Maggie Thatcher could be the president of Angola as thats the kind of thing she used to come away with.

[ian1964 10,442]

Bougherra defiant about Africa Cup of Nations

 

MADJID BOUGHERRA insists the shootings in Angola haven't shaken his desire to triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Shattered Togo have withdrawn from the competition after Friday's machine-gun attack on their team bus killed three people.

 

It led to calls for all British-based players to withdraw from Africa's international tournament. But Rangers star Bougherra, right, is staying focused on Algeria's opening match tomorrow.

 

He said: "Of course, this is a very serious and unfortunate situation. But all we are thinking about is our match against Malawi.

 

"We have had good preparation for the competition and, mentally, we are equipped to deal with this.

 

"Our aim is to go as far as possible in the Africa Cup of Nations and bring joy to the Algerian people."

 

Algeria's team bus came under attack in Egypt in their World Cup qualifier two months ago. Three players were hurt, but Algeria battled back to win a play-off and secure a place in the finals.

 

Bougherra added: "We've been through so much. But we have kept on fighting and never given up. We can't let anything break our concentration as it's so important to get off to a good start."

 

Celtic midfielder Landry N'Guemo's Cameroon side could also be withdrawn. Boss Paul Le Guen said: "I'm a little worried. It was a tragic incident.

 

"It's not worth losing lives for the sake of football. If this continues, we will have no choice but to consider withdrawing from the tournament."

 

Hibs boss John Hughes has been trying to contact Sol Bamba at the Ivory Coast camp. He said: "We've been trying to get in touch with Sol just to make sure everything is alright but we haven't managed to speak to him yet so I don't know what the update is."

 

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/668692/Rangers-ace-vows-to-stay-in-Africa-despite-Togo-team-attack.html

[wabashcannonball 0]

Boogies value was not enhanced after yesterdays performance, Malawi 3-0 Algeria.

[John Barr 0]

Boogies value was not enhanced after yesterdays performance, Malawi 3-0 Algeria.

 

Tell me about it. I put Algeria on to win the TOURNEMENT at 12/1 lol:spl:

[ian1964 10,442]

Egypt v Nigeria today, should be a decent game

[Wija 0]

There would be very little to gain as far as I see. OK he is a very good defender, but Weir and Wilson are covering it and TBH the players morale would not be on a high if he is sent back early.

 

Apart from that he will be back after the group stages as Algeria were mince yesterday!

[Zappa 0]

Did the report not say that the Togo team travelled by bus through an area where there is a separatist movement ? Angolan authorities expressed their surprise that Togo didnt fly into the capital and travel to their game from that point.

 

It seems the reason it happened was the particular province where it happened has rebels. Doesnt mean the whole country is dangerous though.

.

Found out a bit more about this Craig. The attack happened in the province of Cabinda which is physically separated from Angola by a strip of DR Congo & bordered by the Republic of Congo to the North. The province has been somewhat of a war zone for years due to the dispute over who owns it & it's riches of crude. The area (which is largely occupied and run by the Chevron Oil company) is rife with militia & rebels as well as having a large Angolan army presence. Despite the area being so troubled, one of the official CAN stadiums is in Cabinda 15 miles North of it's capital & a game was actually played there yesterday, with other games in the tournament still scheduled to be played there despite the Togo team bus shootings. Apparently there's nothing to worry about.

[craig 5,199]

.

Found out a bit more about this Craig. The attack happened in the province of Cabinda which is physically separated from Angola by a strip of DR Congo & bordered by the Republic of Congo to the North. The province has been somewhat of a war zone for years due to the dispute over who owns it & it's riches of crude. The area (which is largely occupied and run by the Chevron Oil company) is rife with militia & rebels as well as having a large Angolan army presence. Despite the area being so troubled, one of the official CAN stadiums is in Cabinda 15 miles North of it's capital & a game was actually played there yesterday, with other games in the tournament still scheduled to be played there despite the Togo team bus shootings. Apparently there's nothing to worry about.

 

Our audit committee Chairman is Treasurer of Chevron, or one of its subsidiaries

 

Aye, had read that, just couldnt remember the name of the province. Cheers Zappa

[Zappa 0]

Our audit committee Chairman is Treasurer of Chevron, or one of its subsidiaries

.

As the saying goes - Follow the money trail...

 

Aye, had read that, just couldnt remember the name of the province.

.

I hadn't actually realized that the shootings were in a province where CAN matches are being played but there you go.

 

I was reading a similar thread on another forum where a lot of people seemed to be of the opinion that the player safety didn't really matter as long as they're insured & the club wouldn't lose money if anything were to happen, which I find to be quite an odd and cold sentiment. Anyway contrary to what people think about that, an insurance specialist on Sky Sports last night was saying that it's very unlikely insurance companies will be covering the players to be traveling & playing in such a high risk area.