African Cup of Nations - report from Angola

Togo captain says they will leave

by Paul Myers

Article published on the 2010-01-10 Latest update 2010-01-10 15:55 TU

Angolan police special forces guard A bus as it leaves Olympic Village, where Togo, Ghana and Burkina Faso teams in the African Nations Cup soccer tournament are housed in Cabinda
(Photo: Reuters)

Togo's captain Emmanuel Adebayor has told RMC radio that the team will go home from the 27th Africa Cup of Nations in Angola after Friday's deadly attack on the Togolese team.

Tension and brinksmanship in Cabinda is overshadowing the start of the tournament. A lavish launch ceremony followed by the first match featuring the Angola national team and Mali was supposed to be the main course.

But in the hours running up to the kick-off, it has the air of a side order.

The focus is on the northern enclave of Cabinda, the scene of a machine gun attack on Friday which left three members of the Togolese delegation dead.

Earlier confusion has reigned over the future status of Togo in the three-week competition.

African Football Confederation official Kodzo Samlan announced Sunday that Togo has not been dropped from the competition.

Following a team meeting on Saturday night, the team said it wanted 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, who was earlier reported to be returning to  Britain where he plays for Manchester City, now says the whole team will obey government orders .

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

Togo Prime Minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo said on Sunday that the team had been ordered home, adding, "It would be irresponsible for the government to allow its people to stay in such conditions."

The Flec-PM, a splinter group of the  Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec) which wants independence for the oil-rich enclave, has threatened more violence following its deadly attack.

"Weapons will continue to talk in Cabinda," a statement from the group 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 are due to continue in  Cabinda . Togo was scheduled to play Ghana on Monday evening following the first Group B match featuring favourites Cote D’Ivoire against Burkina Faso .