African Nations off to a flyer after tragic week

After the drama and tragedy of last week's gun attack on the Togo squad it was a welcome relief to concentrate on football matters when Mali entertained the hosts in the opening game of the African Cup of Nations this weekend.

But the sombre pre-match atmosphere and two minutes silence showed how much of a cloud will hang over this tournament, whose very existence is being questioned.

The tragic deaths of three Togolese officials in the shooting understandably led the team to pull out of the tournament. They have now expressed a desire to return, although this seems unlikely to happen.

I can understand their initial decision. Football matters very little when incidents like this occur. No matter what Shankly once quipped, football is not more important than life and death, so pulling out to grieve is the right course of action.

However, abandoning the whole tournament would, in my opinion, be letting the terrorists win. The African Cup of Nations is the chance for the continent to show off its talent to the rest of the world. Like many big tournaments there will be people who will be determined to disrupt it to meet their own political ends. Football and politics do not mix, and although the sport was bloodily dragged into the debate last week, they should leave it the authorities to deal with the killers and let the festival of football continue, as much as a show of defiance as anything else.

Things got off to the perfect start on Sunday with as dramatic a game as you will ever wish to see. The hosts Angola swept into a 4-0 lead and with 11 minutes to go looked home and dry. Even at 4-2 going into injury time the game looked done and dusted. But fans have learnt to expect the unexpected at this tournament and we were shown why when Mali equalised in the 95th minute to seal a dramatic draw.

Indeed, the match as a whole would have surprised many African Cup of Nations betting experts.

The game had everything that is good about African football. Yes the defending and goalkeeping may not be world-class, but the attacking, flair, desire and passion was all to see, culminating in 90 minutes of sheer entertainment, a treat for anyone with an interest in football betting.

If the organisers want the football to do the talking and tell the terrorists they won't win, this was perfect way to start.