African supporters club begs CAF to pardon Togo

THE African Football Supporters Union (AFOSU) has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to temper justice with mercy and release the Togolese Football Federation from the two Nations Cup ban imposed on it following its withdrawal from the 2010 tourney.

Rising from its congress in Lome, the body comprising the leadership of the supporters clubs of various African countries, observed that though the ban was in accordance with the rules, Togo also deserved some sympathy for the sake of those who lost their lives in the Cabinda incident and in order also not to truncate the developments in Togo’s football in recent times.

The congress observed that Togo had played its name into the world football map by qualifying for the World Cup in 2006 and by its performances in recent editions of the Nations Cup before the unfortunate incident.

After listening to the anguish of members of the Togolese football supporters, led by Madam Afisatu (Madam Togo), the body decided to send a delegation to CAF Headquarters in Cairo and also to CAF President, Issa Hayatou, to plead on Togo’s behalf.

Speaking on the development, President of AFOSU, Nigeria’s Rafiu Ladipo, pointed out that the issue was well in the hands of the continental football leadership to resolve as brothers.

“The game, the competition is our own,” he said. “The people involved are our brothers and CAF is very understanding and supportive. So we believe it will temper justice with mercy and help secure the momentum of development in Togo’s football.”

Special Adviser to AFOSU, Benjamin Aboh, also disclosed that the trip to Cairo and Cameroun would enable the group intimate CAF more directly on its Victory Africa campaign.