Togo Pull Out Of African Cup of Nations
10 January 2010
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Togo has withdrawn from the African Cup of Nations football tournament after their bus came under fire on Friday.
The team were crossing over the boarder from the republic of Congo into Cabinda when they were attacked by machine guns.
The driver died at the scene while assistant coach Amalete Abalo and media officer Stanislas Ocloo died later in hospital.
Reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale has been flown to South Africa earlier this weekend for emergency surgery.
Despite this many of the Togo players, which include Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Aston Villa’s Moustapha Salifou, expressing the desire to stay in Angola and play the decision has been made that they are to leave the tournament just as it is getting started.
Togo’s captain Emmanuel Adebayor, told French radio station RMC: "The head of state (Gnassingbe) has decided we will return.
"There was a meeting between players yesterday (Saturday) and we said we were still footballers.
"We all decided to do something good for the country and play to honour those who died.
"Unfortunately, the head of state and the country's authorities have decided otherwise. We will pack up and go home."
Despite the events of this weekend the tournament is to go ahead and a minute’s silence will be observed at the opening ceremony to remember those who have been killed.
Togo was scheduled to play Ghana in their opening match tomorrow.
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