Togo withdraw from Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations Venue and dates: Angola, 10-31 January Coverage: Final and semi-finals live on BBC TV, BBC World Service and commentaries on BBC Sport website. Live commentary on opening match on BBC World Service and BBC Sport website -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stunned Togo players in disbelief after attack Togo have pulled out of the Africa Cup of Nations following a deadly gun attack on their team bus in Angola. The coach driver was killed and two players were shot and injured in the attack in the northern province of Cabinda on Friday. Organisers insist the tournament will go ahead but Togo's players met later on Friday to discuss returning home. Team captain, and Manchester City striker, Emmanuel Adebayor said on Friday many players wanted to go home. He told BBC Afrique: "It's a football game, it's one of the biggest tournaments in Africa and a lot of people would love to be in our position but I don't think anybody would be prepared to give their life. You cannot sleep after what we have seen - one of your team-mates with bullets in his body in front of you, crying and losing consciousness Emmanuel Adebayor "If I am alive I can still play football tomorrow and in one year maybe even another Cup of Nations but I am not ready to pass away now. The driver of the Togo team bus was killed in the incident, while nine others were injured including two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach. Defender Serge Akakpo, who plays for Romanian club Vaslui, was hit by two bullets and lost a lot of blood in the attack in Angola's oil-rich territory of Cabinda, which is due to host seven matches. Adebayor said the players were unsure whether Akakpo would survive at the time, but his club reported that his condition was stabilised and he underwent successful surgery. Reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale, who plays for French club GSI Pontivy, was also wounded, while several other players required hospital treatment and were later seen with bandages on legs, hands and faces. "I don't think any of the players will be able to sleep after this," said Adebayor, who admitted they were all still in shock. "You cannot sleep after what we have seen - one of your team-mates with bullets in his body in front of you, crying and losing consciousness. It is very difficult." Togo were scheduled to play their first match in Cabinda against Ghana on Monday, with the tournament's opening match between hosts Angola and Mali on Sunday. Ghana players have confirmed they are happy for the tournament to go ahead. Souleymane Habuba, spokesman for organisers the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the tournament would proceed despite the attack. "Our great concern is for the players, but the championship goes ahead," said Habuba, who questioned why Togo had elected to travel by road rather than flying. "CAF's regulations are clear: teams are required to fly rather than travel by bus," he added. Football's world governing body Fifa has expressed its concern about the attack. "Fifa and its president, Sepp Blatter, are deeply moved by today's incidents which affected Togo's national team, to whom they express their utmost sympathy," said a statement. "Fifa is in touch with the African Football Confederation (CAF) and its president, Issa Hayatou, from which it expects a full report on the situation." source - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8449611.stm
