After the shock shooting up of the Togo team bus in Angola, people are beginning to wonder what this means for the World Cup to be held in South Africa later this year.

Many Africans feared coming into the new year that something negative was going to happen at the African Cup of Nations, and that the usual group of Afro-pessimists would get the world talking about all the reasons that having a World Cup in South Africa was a bad idea. It’s an illogical thought, but it still happened.
When Togo’s team bus was attacked it sent shock waves through the soccer world. Their fears were realized.

Friday Jan 8th evening in Cabinda, Angola, a team bus carrying the Togolese national squad was fired upon when entering at the border between Congo and Angola. The incident left the bus driver, assistant coach and media officer dead while two Sparrow Hawk players were injured in the shooting and their condition has not yet been ascertained.

The act of terrorism has sparked fears worldwide and for their own safety and because of what happened, the team has decided to pull out of the tournament and return home.

Inevitably the world’s gaze will now turn to South Africa as the host of the World Cup in June this year, but the world needs to realize that Africa is not a country, but a continent, and there are thousands of kilometers between Angola and the country which is preparing to host football’s greatest tournament in the summer.

The situation in the two countries are quite different, and while both have had their problems in the past, South Africa cannot be compared to Angola in terms of safety and security.

What happened in Angola was terrible, but to be fair it should have been avoided by those involved in the organization of the competition. The rebels in Cabinda operate in that region to begin with, and the Confederation of African Football should have considered the dangers of hosting games in a city which is still not a peaceful zone. The Togolese Football Association bear some responsability in deciding to drive rather than fly to their destination.

The situation is different in South Africa however, as they do not have rebels or militia waiting to make a statement at their borders. South Africa is a peaceful country, which is often the leader in bringing peace to other regions of Africa, acting as mediators in times of aggression.

Here’s my top reasons why the Togo buss attack doesn’t leave me scared of a trip to South Africa, and I’m hoping some of you will agree.

• Security Will Be At All Time Highs

It goes without saying that any time a World Cup is in your country security gets beefed up, but from all of the reports I’ve seen South Africa will set new records.

• South Africa Has Done This Before

This is nothing new for South Africa. This country has hosted the Rugby World Cup, the Confederations Cup and the IPL. South Africa is also a tourist destination of some note. Unlike Angola, South Africa is a regular destination for Europeans and Americans who like to travel, and the country is used to dealing with outside groups coming in.

• Less Strife In The Country

Again I would deffer to people who know more about the political climate of the two countries, but it’s clear that at least one part of Angola has war going on.

• It Could Happen Anywhere

If you’re scared to go to South Africa, and some people will be, then by all means, don’t go. But don’t let your fears fool you, attacks can happen anywhere.