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Togo 'will play in African Cup' Togo 'will play in African Cup'
(20 minutes later)
Togo's football team has decided to play in the African Nations Cup, even though the government withdrew it after a deadly attack on Friday, players say.Togo's football team has decided to play in the African Nations Cup, even though the government withdrew it after a deadly attack on Friday, players say.
Thomas Dossevi told the AFP news agency the players wanted to stay in Angola in memory of the three people who were killed when rebels fired on their bus.Thomas Dossevi told the AFP news agency the players wanted to stay in Angola in memory of the three people who were killed when rebels fired on their bus.
L'Equipe quoted Alaixys Romao as saying the team would not leave like cowards.L'Equipe quoted Alaixys Romao as saying the team would not leave like cowards.
Togo has demanded Angola explain why it was not warned of the dangers of travel in Cabinda, where the bus was ambushed.Togo has demanded Angola explain why it was not warned of the dangers of travel in Cabinda, where the bus was ambushed.
Angolan officials had earlier expressed astonishment that the team had travelled there by road from their base in the Republic of Congo.Angolan officials had earlier expressed astonishment that the team had travelled there by road from their base in the Republic of Congo.
'Unanimous decision''Unanimous decision'
On Saturday, Togo government spokesman Pascal Bodjona said the players were returning home because they were in a state of shock.On Saturday, Togo government spokesman Pascal Bodjona said the players were returning home because they were in a state of shock.
"We cannot in such a dramatic circumstance continue in the Africa Cup of Nations," he told reporters."We cannot in such a dramatic circumstance continue in the Africa Cup of Nations," he told reporters.
Manchester City, the club of Togo's captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, had already said on its website that he was returning to the UK.
But later two players said they were determined to stay.But later two players said they were determined 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," Thomas Dossevi said."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," Thomas Dossevi said.
"It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities," he added."It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities," he added.
Alaixys Romao also said the decision had been unanimous.
CABINDA Oil-rich province cut off from the rest of Angola by DR CongoFlec rebels fought for region's independenceRebels laid down arms in 2006 but some unrest continuesAngola had dismissed concerns about staging games there Togo footballers tell of attack Optimism to horror after attackCABINDA Oil-rich province cut off from the rest of Angola by DR CongoFlec rebels fought for region's independenceRebels laid down arms in 2006 but some unrest continuesAngola had dismissed concerns about staging games there Togo footballers tell of attack Optimism to horror after attack
Alaixys Romao also said the decision had been unanimous.
"We have just had a meeting of the whole delegation and we will be on the pitch on Monday to face Ghana," he said."We have just had a meeting of the whole delegation and we will be on the pitch on Monday to face Ghana," he said.
Manchester City, the club of Togo's captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, said on its website on Friday that he was returning to the UK. "People have died for the Africa Cup of Nations, others have been injured. We can't let them down and leave like cowards," he added.
"People have died for the Africa Cup of Nations, others have been injured. We can't let them down and leave like cowards," Romao added. "If we stay here it's for them, but also not to give any satisfaction to the rebels. Our government does not necessarily agree with us but we are all determined to play this competition."
"If we stay here it's for them, but also not to give any satisfaction to the rebels. Our government does not necessarily agree with us but we are all determined to play this competition," he added.
When contacted on Saturday night, a spokesman for the tournament organisers, the Confederation of African Football (Caf), could not confirm the reports, saying: "I don't know. I am not aware so far. I've not heard any communication."When contacted on Saturday night, a spokesman for the tournament organisers, the Confederation of African Football (Caf), could not confirm the reports, saying: "I don't know. I am not aware so far. I've not heard any communication."
Caf had earlier said it understood Togo's withdrawal, but that the six other matches scheduled to be played in Cabinda would go ahead.Caf had earlier said it understood Togo's withdrawal, but that the six other matches scheduled to be played in Cabinda would go ahead.
Security guaranteeSecurity guarantee
In Friday's attack, several gunmen opened fire on the Togo team bus shortly after it had crossed from the Republic of Congo into the enclave of Cabinda.In Friday's attack, several gunmen opened fire on the Togo team bus shortly after it had crossed from the Republic of Congo into the enclave of Cabinda.
Angola has increased security for all teams and at all venuesAngola has increased security for all teams and at all venues
Adebayor told the BBC the players and support staff were trapped on the bus for 30 minutes as Angolan police fought the attackers. They eventually had to flee under fire to get into the vehicles sent to rescue them, he said.Adebayor told the BBC the players and support staff were trapped on the bus for 30 minutes as Angolan police fought the attackers. They eventually had to flee under fire to get into the vehicles sent to rescue them, he said.
Togolese officials said the driver had died at the scene, while media officer Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo died later in hospital.Togolese officials said the driver had died at the scene, while media officer Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo died later in hospital.
The separatist rebel Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), which has fought for independence for several decades but entered into a ceasefire in 2006, later claimed responsibility for the attack.The separatist rebel Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), which has fought for independence for several decades but entered into a ceasefire in 2006, later claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Angolan government, which had hoped the tournament would show how well it had recovered from the fighting, called the incident an "act of terrorism".The Angolan government, which had hoped the tournament would show how well it had recovered from the fighting, called the incident an "act of terrorism".
CAF president Issa Hayatou said he had received a guarantee that security would be increased for all teams and at all venues.CAF president Issa Hayatou said he had received a guarantee that security would be increased for all teams and at all venues.
The bi-annual Africa Cup of Nations begins with the hosts playing Mali in Luanda on Sunday and lasts until 31 January.The bi-annual Africa Cup of Nations begins with the hosts playing Mali in Luanda on Sunday and lasts until 31 January.