Well what a disaster this is turning out to be! First of all, what is a region isolated from the majority of the country, with an armed separatist movement, in a country only eight years removed from a long civil war doing hosting some of the worlds best footballers. I understand the romance in having every part of Angola joining together to host a major international event, but surely someone must have thought something like this could happen. 

Secondly, the Togo national team needs to make a decision. This we are in, we are out deal has really gone to far now. No one is going to question them no matter what they decide, but a final decision needs to be made by the players, they are the ones who need to be mentally up to the challenge of representing their country. If they do not feel they can do it, then by all means go home to your families. If they want to play on in the memory of those murdered then do that, but get together and make a decision. Unfortunately, the country’s president seems to want one thing and the players another. It does appear that finally Togo has withdrawn, and everyone wishes the players and staff well as they deal with what must be shocking memories.

Unfortunately, I think this whole event has shown the gap in professionalism between UEFA and CAF, it is impossible to think of UEFA awarding the European Championships to the Balkans so soon after their civil war.  I do not think similar violence will occur in South Africa, far from on. I think on the field the World Cup will be a massive success. However, the warning signs continue to be there that off the field 2010 will not be remembered favourably. 40, 000 hotel beds to few is one such issue that is sure to be brought up this coming summer.

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