With promises of excitement along with lots of fanfare to the build-up, the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola started on a dark note after a deadly attack on Togo’s national team bus in the Cabinda province.
Exactly two days before the commencement of the 2010 AFCON, Togo embarked on a road trip to Angola with the hopes of making their seventh appearance in the tournament, but the aspiration was dashed by an attack led by a local separatist group.
The group, Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda-Military Position (FLEC-PM) claimed responsibility for killing three staff members and injuring nine others in the Togolese national team delegation on January 8, 2010.
While their motive might have been political in Angola, their deadly actions cast fear in the tournament, with the Sparrows of Togo eventually withdrawing from the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations – a decision that came with CAF sanctions.
Those who died in the attack were assistant coach Amelete Abalo, press officer Stanislas Ocloo and the driver of the team bus Mario Adjoua while some players’ football dreams were abruptly caught off due to varying degrees of injuries.
Obilale was playing for French club GSI Pontivy at that period, however, he found it difficult to walk well which left him with crutches.
Thanks to support from FIFA, Togo FA and the French football body, the 39-year-old completed his rehabilitation in France where he currently stays.
Sometime in July 2020, the former goalkeeper was honoured with a ceremonial kick-off for a fund-raising friendly game between Lorient and Rennes to support himself and his family. During the 2019 CAF Awards, the African football body under the leadership of Ahmad Ahmad handed Obilale a special award.
Meanwhile, Serge Akakpo was the other player struck by two bullets during the attack but he has recovered fully and played in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Togo.
Akakpo at the time of the attack, was plying his trade with Romanian club FC Vaslui but he had spells in Slovenia and Slovakia before moving Turkish Super Lig clubs Tranzonspor and Gaziantep between 2016-17 and Ukraine’s Arsenal Kyiv in 2018.
The 2010 Togo team included Premier League legend Emmanuel Adebayor, former Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou and Alaixys Romao
