Football, as has been mentioned at length on this site, is a tremendous vehicle for social and political change. It is not, however, a sui generis solution to all upheaval, particularly that of the violent variety, as, unfortunately, was the case with Togo's national team.
The side was travelling by bus through the rebel plagued region of Cabinda in Angola on the way to their African Nations Cup game there, when gunmen opened fire on the bus killing three (the driver, an assistant coach and a team spokesman) and injuring nine people, including two players.
CAF's reaction to the incident (essentially that the team should have travelled by air rather than by bus) sorely misses the point. If it is not possible for the tournament organizers to guarantee the safety of players and spectators with a reasonable degree of certainty then it is incumbent upon them to move the event to a place where such assurances can be made. To jeopardize the lives and health of others, not to mention that of the game, is not only unacceptable, it is inexcusable.
Furthermore, such actions do irreparable damage to the event at hand (Ghana is now thinking of pulling out its players, while the papers are abuzz with news of the tragedy), which already does not enjoy the greatest support among club managers, whose players miss crucial matches in the European club calendar, but they also have negative implications for this year's World Cup in South Africa, by ostensibly validating the concerns about security that have already gained traction in the press.
It is understandable Angola wanted to host the tournament; it is still inconceivable that CAF awarded it to them.
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