Today, the team bus with the Togo national team was viciously attacked by Angolan rebels on its way to the Africa Cup of Nations (superb analysis here and here), and already there is talk the tournament may be canceled.
Organizers and participants have a choice. Either they cancel the ACN, thereby granting victory to those who would take the lives of other human beings to further their cause, as the US has in the years since you-know-when, and may continue to do so in Yemen following the recent attempted bombing of that Detroit-bound plane.

By AVI CREDITOR

The double-whammy that is the red card/penalty kick may be no more.

FIFA has submitted an item for the International Football Associations Board to review that would downgrade a red card to a yellow on a foul that denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the box.

I've been following some of the African Nations drama on the box and t'internet over the last week & of course Dexy's outstanding previews, but I must say I was appalled as the news reports came in on Friday night regarding the devastating machine gun attack on the Togo team bus, resulting in 3 deaths and numerous injuries.

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As Tom wrote earlier today, it is unclear whether the tournament should continue in light of three deaths and emerging evidence of cynical political maneuvering in the Angolan government's decision to host games in Cabinda; it appears it for the time being it will, as Angola kicked off this evening against Mali.

The 2010 African Cup of Nations (ACN) couldn't possibly have had a more turbulent start, what with the Togo bus tragedy and then one of the most bonkers games in the tournament's history.

Firstly, a few words about the shocking attack on Togo's team coach, which killed three people and injured eight more, including goalkeeper Dodji Obilale; Obilale is currently in a stable condition in a South African hospital, having been shot in the back.

Michael Essien, the rock of Ghana's midfield will not make it to South Africa.

He has been unable to recover sufficiently from a tear to his medial collateral ligament sustained in January while training for the Africa Cup of Nations.

How big will his loss be? He is an undoubted star but there are positive signs that he may not be indispensable.

Wizards forward, Kei Kamara and the Sierra Leone national team pulled off a big result today in their African Cup of Nations qualifier. The Leone Stars pulled out a 1-1 draw in Cairo against group favorites Egypt today. Kamara got the start for his country and had a good chance early from around the penalty area but couldn't finish it.

Good morning from a freezing cold Dublin. No league action this weekend, it's FA Cup all the way and it looks as if we're set to rotate a bit, which is no bad thing.

We've got our 'game in hand' against Bolton in midweek then a tricky game against Everton at the weekend. We have to prioritise and that means resting some players.

Tonight, we may or may not be playing Bolton. With fixtures falling faster than me on a bad day, the incoming Ice Age is causing a real headache for clubs and fans alike.
Let's proceed and assume that there is a match. I'm going to try and fly through this as I am up to my nips with work with every one thing completed generating three more things to do.

Mark Murphy is our man for the African Cup of Nations, which begins this month in Angola. This evening, Mark takes us through the runners and riders for the second most important footbll competition that will be played in Africa this year.

If this year's African Cup of Nations in Angola has entered the psyche of English football fans at all, it is because of the cataclysmic effect on Chelsea's Premier League title hopes of a month without Didier Drogba.

This isn't the blog that was supposed to be posted. That was scrapped. Right about now I should either be in the air or in London for the Arsenal v Everton match but the £300 spent on tickets, flights, and hotel for me and Garantia wasn't enough to stop a chest infection setting in so badly..,well, you don't need the details, but I doubt the airline would have let me on as I have flu-like symptoms as well.

By Ollie Irish

In front of, er, not very many fans at all, Malawi recorded their first ever win in the African Cup of Nations. And utterly deserved it was too, as Algeria one of England's group rivals at the 2010 World Cup were worse than rubbish, particularly at the back.

Chris Nee and Gary Andrews are joined by Jonathan from Just Football and one-time twofootedtackle podcast host Theo Delaney to discuss the events of the footballing week. In Episode 32: the horrific attack on the Togo team bus by Cabindan separatists, the Africa Cup of Nations, Serie A, the Premier League big freeze and winter breaks.

By Ollie Irish

This game saw the biggest shock of the ACN so far, with Hull City striker Daniel Cousin's goal proving enough for Gabon to claim a famous win over Cameroon's not-so-Indomitable Lions.

The trend so far: the teams in Angola that have also qualified for this summer's World Cup don't seem to be giving their all, which is entirely understandable given the size of the prize in South Africa.

Firstly to the good news, Cameroon have lost their first match at the ACN to the mighty Gabon, meaning that if Cameroon lose to Zambia in their second game and Tunisia draw with Gabon, then Alex Song will be coming home early, that's what I'm hoping anyway.Song is so important to us, not only because the lad has been playing so well, but also because we have so little defensive cover in the

Yesterday, with not much to do other than ponder the loss of Nasri and Ramsey for three weeks, (Merida is out too after getting kicked by some Bolton ass (ass as in not good enough to be a donkey, not bum)) I got to thinking about just why indeed we get so many injuries which keep players out for longer than expected.

That seems to be what coach Le Guen thinks of the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN). There is a disconnect between Le Guen on the one side, and the Cameroon Football Federation, the fans, some players and the staff on the other. Le Guen's main objective is the World Cup while the Federation has set winning the ACN and reaching the World Cup semi-finals.

By Ollie Irish

Even without talisman Michael Essien, Ghana were plenty good enough to squeak past Nigeria without having to play their best. A header by Asamoah Gyan in the 21st minute did the damage. In truth though, this was a dreadful semi final, desperately short of quality and ambition, and long on the sort of basic errors that typified African football for so long.

The African Cup of Nations is one of the best and most emotionally charged national team tournament in the footballing world. The controversial 2010 edition is down its last two teams as The Black Stars of Ghana will face 2-time defending champion, The Pharoahs of Egypt. Here is a preview of what will be a historic 2010 ACN Final.

By AVI CREDITOR

Fabio Capello wanted his team to have a CONCACAF dress rehearsal before this summer's World Cup, and the England manager has his wish.

England will host Mexico on May 24 at Wembley Stadium in what should make for an intriguing international friendly for U.

Egypt take on Ghana today in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Pharaohs going for their third successive victory in the tournament. On their way to the final, Egypt have beaten three teams that have qualified for this summer's World Cup – Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Algeria – while they will be absent from South Africa.

by Matt - US Soccer Daily For those who haven't been paying attention to the 2010 African Cup of Nations, Algeria's campaign ended yesterday with the consolation game against Nigeria. Though their...

STARTERS
Late last week we heard that Steve Ralston had left the New England Revolution, and today we learned his next destination: AC St Louis. Hometown hero returns to launch the new team.
And the new team supplied us with this picture:
AC St.

By AVI CREDITOR

The double-whammy that is the red card/penalty kick may be no more.

FIFA has submitted an item for the International Football Associations Board to review that would downgrade a red card to a yellow on a foul that denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the box.

The last weekend in Feb strike's again!
When is this crap that Arsenal don't like it up'em going to end?
That's 3 times in five years that we have been the victims of similar incidents.
I think I speak for everyone when I say all our thoughts go out to our Rambo at least when we win the league he will get a medal.

Now we're getting to the business end of the season, a few players who could make the difference...

1. Mikel Arteta

Recently back from injury, Arteta has looked like he's never been away. One of the most naturally gifted players in the league, he seems to have taken up a position off the striker which offers even more points potential.

After a return to the summit of the Premier League and retaining their FA cup, Chelsea enjoyed a successful season. The bitter sting of being Mourinho'd out of the Champions league was quelled as Chelsea put that set-back behind and pressed their advantage home for the Premier League trophy.

After having the long list leaked and the short list announced, the final list of nominees for CAF's 2010 African Footballer of the Year have finally been announced.

And the nominations for Africa's 2010 Footballer of the Year go to...

Didier Drogba (Côte D'Ivoire/Chelsea)
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana/Sunderland)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Inter)

If you read my earlier post on the nominations, you probably aren't surprised by the names appearing on the final list.