The football tournament the Africa cup of nations started last night with a pulsating 4-4 draw between the hosts Angola and Mali. However, the tournament has been overshadowed by an attack on the Togo national team bus as the country’s players and football staff entered the country.
Within seconds of crossing from the Republic of Congo in to Cabinda in Angola, gunmen opened fire on the bus using machine guns, killing the bus driver and injuring many more. Sources have now confirmed that the death toll has risen to three in the days following the incident.
The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec) has stated that it carried out the attack.
Watching work friends and colleagues being shot in front of your eyes must be a harrowing experience and Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor described the ordeal as “One of the worst things I’ve ever been through in my life” and that he was “still in shock”.
The player was one of those who escaped without physical injuries but this does not mean that he will not be mentally affected by the experience. Indeed, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill stated he believes his player Moustapha Salifou, who was also on the bus, will be badly psychologically affected, stating “something like that is going to live with him for a very long time, if not for the rest of his life.”
There is a strong possibility that those involved in the attack will suffer from some form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which could involve experiencing flash backs, increased arousal (constantly on edge and hyper vigilant), avoidance and depression. PTSD is common in personal injury cases, particularly in car crashes where the injured party may find it difficult to get back in to a vehicle without becoming very anxious.
It may be that cognitive behavioural therapy is required for the players to get past the trauma associated with the event and to continue with their day to day lives.
