Togo’s footballers have arrived home after leaving the Africa Cup of Nations which got underway on Sunday.
Following Friday’s machine gun attack on the Togo squad, which left three people dead, the players had been keen to stay in Angola and compete in the tournament. But they were urged to withdraw by Togo president Faure Gnassingbe who has also announced a 3 day period of mourning for the dead.
However, it’s been suggested that Togo could return if the Confederation of African Football (Caf) agrees to reorganise their matches.
Although the side’s opening match of the competition against Ghana in the northern enclave of Cabinda was scheduled for Monday evening, Togo sports minister Christophe Padumhokou Tchao believes it is still possible that they will take part. Togo are in Group B of the competition, with Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Ghana.
Caf have yet to respond to the request.
The attack on Togo’s convoy as it crossed from the Republic of Congo into Cabinda killed an assistant coach, press officer and bus driver and injured several other players.
In the tournament’s opening ceremony in Luanda, Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos condemned the attack and a minute’s silence was observed before the first match.
In the game itself, Angola were 4-0 up with 11 minutes to go but Mali fought back to clinch a 4-4 draw.
