2008-02-01Staff Report 2 By Carlos Kambaekwa Accra The 26th edition of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations under way in Ghana claimed its first casualties when a South African-based journalist and two other media practitioners were attacked by thugs and relieved of their valuables in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Wednesday evening. The victims are well-known South African based soccer guru Peter Auf der Heyde, the brainchild behind popular South African soccer publication Laduma and Mikael Blond, a Danish journalist working for Denmark's Soccer Magazine Tipsbladet in Copenhagen and as American journo Brendon Hanley from the African Football Media. The trio were strolling alongside the pathway to their Greenwich Lodge in Accra at around 23h00 (local time) when four unknown men stopped next to them and suddenly jumped out of their sedan vehicle. Though no serious injuries were reported, the robbers who were carrying sticks manhandled the three journalists and made off with valuables such as two mobile phones, one digital camera, a wallet containing cash of approximately N$1 000, and credit cards belonging to the 27-year-old Danish national. Revealing the ordeal to New Era Sport, a clearly shocked Auf der Hyde who sported a few bruises on his face said the trio are yet to lay charges against the robbers with local law enforcers but intended to do thus. Meanwhile, the Namibian entourage including the entire Brave Warriors squad was left kicking their heels in frustration after the team was bundled out of the 3-week tournament in the group stages earlier this week. The travelling entourage was scheduled to leave the West African country on Wednesday, but bungled arrangements with the national airline caused the Namibians unwillingly to prolong their stay in Ghana, with officials passing the buck for the blame on to the national carrier. 2008-02-01Staff Report 2
