Sometimes I'm not surprised that online piracy is so rampant when it comes to soccer. Trying to find out who has the rights to a game or tournament is very difficult, and even when you find a stream, you're not sure whether it's an official one or not.

Take, for example, the African Nations Cup which kicks off in a few hours from Angola.

Are the CAF guilty of a huge injustice?

Togo have been banned from the next two Africa Cup of Nations following their withdrawal from this year's tournament.
The Confederation of African football (Caf) also fined the Hawks $50,000 for quitting the competition in the wake of a gun attack on the team bus in Angola.

Didier Drogba led his Ivory Coast to a crucial win over Ghana in this African Nations Cup tie.

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According to the BBC, two players from the Togolese football squad in Angola for the African Nations Cup have been injured following an attack on their team bus this afternoon. We'll keep an eye on the situation.

UPDATE: ESPN Soccernet is reporting three players and the bus driver were injured and quotes Nantes striker Thomas Dossevi as saying that the team no longer wants to take part in the tournament.

Like you, we were shocked when we first heard reports that Togo's team bus had been ambushed by gunmen on its way to its home base for the upcoming African Nations Cup. As of this writing, the details of the shooting remain murky and the number of injured and dead is up in the air.

When we hear about League teams complaining about the playing time that they have to give up for their stars to play for a National team we usually just scoff and say "Get over it!" However, now we see why people complain.

The Togolese National Soccer Team's bus was attacked by machine gun-toting lunatics at the Angola border today ahead of the African Nations Cup.

Lots of news has occured lately, and with a weekend of action coming up, five Premiership matches were postponed, here is a list of the matches postponed:
Hull City - Chelsea
Burnley - Stoke City
Sunderland - Bolton
Fulham - Portsmouth
Liverpool - Tottenham
Togo National Team Attacked on way to ANC Cup


The Togo National team bus was attacked by gunmen on their way to the African Nations Cup, the driver was killed, and two players were hit by bullets, goalkeeper Obilale Kossi, and Serge Akakpo.

The majority of the Premiership games are cancelled due to the bad weather conditions: Rubbish

Both Carling Cup games are called off, also due to the weather: Pants

The Chelsea team go sledging on Parliament Hill and no one is injured: a Wasted opportunity

Patrick Viera returns to the Premiership but with Man City: Upsetting (for Arsenal fans)

Owen Coyle bizarrely leaves Burnley for Bolton Wanderers: Strange and Disappointing

Just before the African Nations Cup the Togo team bus is attacked resulting in the death of the driver and the injury of two players: Awful

So all in all not the best week for football.

Togo have withdrawn from the African Nations Cup in Angola following the terrorist attack on their team bus.

Manchester City confirmed their striker Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togo captain, was returning home.

A statement on Man City's official website said:

"Togo has pulled out of the African Nations Cup after their team bus came under gunfire in Angola.

It has been a day of conflicting news and uncertainty following yesterday's deadly attack on the team bus of the Togolese national team.

With players and other staff members of the Togolese national team, officials of the Togolese FA and government, officials of the Angolan FA and government, CAF, FIFA, Sepp Blatter and a range of European clubs all releasing statements and bits and pieces of sometimes contradictory information, it's difficult to give a definitive picture of the current situation.

Those who died in the attack are the Angolan bus driver, the team's spokesman Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo.Nine were injured - two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.Defender Serge Akakpo, was hit by two bullets and lost a lot of blood but his condition was reported to be stable after successful surgery.

During my brief six months working in Angola between 2002 and 2003, a favorite pastime of mine when driving around Luanda was to try to identify the replica team shirts worn by ubiquitous street soccer teams playing in any available space. Brazil's canary yellow was the most popular, but the range was impressive; I saw complete teams kitted out in the reds of Manchester United, the burgundy of Portugal, the green stripes of Sporting Lisbon, the yellow/orange/black on white design of Germany, even the all whites of Real Madrid—a hopelessly futile choice in the face of the city's red dirt and grimy haze.

The response to the attack on the Togolese team from much of the rabble that constitutes the English Premier League was predictable. The emirs and oligarchs did not say much, leaving it to some of the old fashioned brass merchants to bellow about bringing their players "home".
Arsène Wenger was not of the same mind.

Mozambique and Benin played out a very entertaining draw in their first matches of the African Nations Cup.

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Mali triumphed over Malawi but failed to progress as Algeria and Angola played out a controversial goalless draw that saw both sides go through and has led to Mali filing a match fixing complaint against their fellow group members.

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While Didier Drogba is playing for his country in African Nations Cup, Nicolas Anelka will be getting a lot more trust as Chelsea's lead forward. His 2 goals and 1 assist against Sunderland show frenchmans ability to decide games in Barclays Premier League. Anelka is still far from his last seasons 19 scored goals but if he keeps up with he's awesome form, he will be a serious threat for any opponent Chelsea will face this season.

Ghana overcame Burkina Faso thanks to a solitary strike from Andre Ayew.

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Egypt got the better of Algeria in this typically bad tempered encounter with Hosni Abou Rabou netting the first goal after Algeria had been reduced to ten men when Halliche was sent off. Mohamed Zidan scored a second to kill off any chance of comeback from the Desert Foxes who's woes continued when they found themselves down to nine men when Nadir Belhadj was red carded.

FC Barcelona will be returning back to La Liga action tonight with Villareal visiting Camp Nou. Lionel Messi will not feature in tonight's encounter as he was given an extended holiday. Yaya Toure has already left for African nations Cup, eventhough it is clear that Guardiola will not have used him even if he is available.

A handful of first team regulars were uncharacteristically slotted into the FA Cup team by Arsene Wenger as Arsenal survived West Ham's efforts to upset them. The Hammers looked to be in control and ready to apply yet another blow to Arsenal's season after coming back from two goals down to draw earlier in the season.

The Arsenal defensive midfielder Alexandre Song has now left for the African Nations Cup, and Arsene Wenger has indicated that he will have to make some adjustments for the team to cope in his absence. "We will miss him because he's an important player. In the system we play he plays in front of the defence [.

Winter break is over, and the leagues around Europe will resume in full force this weekend. At this juncture, I felt it appropriate to present a snapshot of how the dust had temporarily settled and will start to pick up again this January 2010. Fahid Ben Khalfallah or "the little Ribery" as he is known in France, is leading the assists table in Ligue 1 ahead of the more established Yoann

Technical Session #10 - The Monarch and his Lions
When I reach Nane Joseph via phone he is unwinding after spending the day training for the 2010 MLS Combine. Joseph, who completed his senior season at Old Dominion, was named one of the nation's top players by the NSCCA.
Making The List
Joseph, a NSCAA Second Team All-American, netted six goals on the season and added three assists.

Puma present a "unified African kit" the continent's teams can use if their national colours clash during the African Nations Cup and World Cup finals.The kit also has an Environmental significance as it is part of the 'Play for Life' partnership that Puma has with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)- which is supporting the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity.

With the weather, the postponements, etc it's not worth sacrificing points to make changes this week your transfers in may well not even play. Yes I'm looking at you -4 points Chris Baird... So, we've only one selection for you today, but it's a good one...

And it is...

Abou Diaby has already played a pivotal role for Arsenal this season, pulling out a couple of big performances and high scoring gameweeks.

An incredible story coming out of Africa today reports that the Togolese National Team, on their way into the Congo ahead of the African Nations Cup, were attacked by a group of armed Angolan rebels on the boarder between the two countries. The driver of the bus has been killed, and two of the players [.

With the African Nations Cup only days away and excitement building all over Africa, a terrible incident has threatened to derail the competition altogether

Togo's national team bus was machine-gunned by Angolan rebels on the Congolese border ahead of the African Cup of Nations. Reports on the extent of fatalities and injuries are still mixed, but it seems that the bus driver was fatally wounded and several players have been left in in serious condition.

Our amigos alerted us to this horrid incident which took place in Angola yesterday, the venue of the African Nations Cup. Tongo's team bus (carrying the likes of Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor, seen above, being comforted after leaving the hospital) was attacked by gunmen who opened fire and killed the bus driver.

African Nations Cup tragedy leaves Togo with no choice but to leave the competition and mourn the loss and injury of teammates and officials.

Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor has told French radio his team will return home from the Africa Cup of Nations following advice from their government.

Mali came back from four goals down to earn a remarkable draw in this African Nations Cup classic.

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Mali players observe a minute's silence in honour of those killed on Friday.

"I think a lot of players want to leave. I don't think they want to be at this tournament any more because they have seen their death already... Most of the players want to go back to their family. No one can sleep after what they have seen.

Malawi produced something of an African Nations Cup shock with this easy win over Algeria.

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Malawi 1-0 Algeria (Russel)

Malawi 2-0 Algeria (Kafoteka)

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CAF have announced Togo will be disqualified if they do not materialize for the kick off of their fixture against Ghana tonight in Cabinda.
Rumours abound whether Botswana, The Republic of the Congo or Namibia will be invited to do a "Denmark".
Cabinda's separatist rebels, FLEC, have apologized for the attack, claiming it was a mistake to attack the Togolese, and have presented their condolences to the families of the deceased.

Mali players observe a minute's silence in honour of those killed on Friday.

"I think a lot of players want to leave. I don't think they want to be at this tournament any more because they have seen their death already... Most of the players want to go back to their family. No one can sleep after what they have seen.

On top of the strikers shortage we can only wait to see if Wenger will sign. Personally I'd take Carlton Cole but not for £9m which is what I have read in places, I have also read links with Huntelaar, who when I have seen him play in the past has seemed average at best. I have also heard links with Ruud Van Horseface, I am sure this cannot go ahead, there is no way I could start to like him, he has to (still) be one of the fans most hated players.

Didier Drogba an co could not get past a determined Burkina Faso side and had to settle for a point from their first African Nations Cup match.

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Thanks to Matt for forwarding me this link: Togo officially disqualified from African Nations Cup
There just had to be a better way of doing this.
This was semantics, of course - the Togolese government pulled the team over the wishes of the actual team:
Quote: We have simply withdrawn our team, it is not a matter of withdrawing for the mourning period.

Photo Credit: Matt Riley/UVa Media Relations
University of Virginia midfielder Tony Tchani, a Generation adidas signee, looks certain to be a top five pick in next week's 2010 Major League Soccer SuperDraft after a strong showing at the league's combine.
Tchani answered some quick questions about Cameroon's chances at the African Cup of Nations, his penalty kick at the College Cup title game against Akron, and his thoughts on beginning his career with MLS before heading to Florida.

Nigeria took the lead in this battle of the big boys but reigning African Nations Cup holders Egypt stormed back to win 3-1 in their opening group game.

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