African Cup of Nations - will Togo stay?

Togo still in competition, despite government recall

Article published on the 2010-01-10 Latest update 2010-01-10 13:06 TU

Angolan police special forces stand guard outside the Olympic Village, where teams taking part in the African Nations Cup soccer tournament are housed
(Photo: Reuters)

Togo is still in the competition at the Africa Cup of Nations, tournament officials said Sunday. But the Togolese government insists that the team must come home, while the players want to stay. More attacks have been threatened.

African Football Confederation official Kodzo Samlan announced Sunday that Togo has not been dropped from the competition, despite Friday's attack on their bus which killed two players.

And the players say that they want to stay.

"We are all heartbroken, it is no longer a party, but we want to show our national colours, our values and that we are men," Togo international Thomas Dossevi, who plays for French side Nantes, told the AFP news agency.

But captain Emmanuel Adebayor was earlier reported to be returning to Britain where he plays for Manchester City and Togo's government insists that the players must come home.

"The government is maintaining its decision to call the team back home," administration minister and government spokesperson Pascal Bodjona said Sunday.

And the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec) has threatened more violence.

"Weapons will continue to talk in Cabinda," a statement from the group, which wants independence for the oil-rich enclave, said.  

The Angolan government has told CAN officials that the attack was "an isolated incident".

Togo's President Faure Gnasingbé will make a statement at about 14 hours Universal Time, according to the Sports Ministry.

Reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who was wounded in the attack, is in a stable condition, his doctor says.

Obilale was transferred to the Milpark hospital in the South African city of Johannesburg.

He is conscious and knows where he is, according to Dr Richard Friedland, who adds that he will be operating on the goalkeeper.

Matches continue in Cabinda with the first match, Angola-Mali, due to take place today. Togo is due to play Ghana on Monday.