LUANDA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Togo's national soccer team will continue to play in the African Nations Cup following a deadly gun attack
and even though its government has withdrawn the side, French sports newspaper L'Equipe said on Sunday.
L'Equipe quoted midfielder Alaixys Romao as saying the team had agreed to stay in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda for its Group B opener against Ghana on Monday.
"The decision was taken unanimously," said Romao, who plays for French club side Grenoble.
On Friday, separatist group FLEC in Cabinda bulleted the Togolese team bus, killing the driver and wounding nine others. Two members of Togo's soccer team died on Saturday and one was undergoing surgery in South Africa.
A Togolese minister said on Saturday that the government had decided to pull the team out of the tournament which starts on Sunday.
But L'Equipe quoted Romao as saying: "We have just had a meeting of the whole delegation and we will be on the pitch on Monday to face Ghana."
"People have died for the African Nations Cup, others have been injured. We can't let them down and leave like cowards," said Romao.
"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."
Three killed in Togo soccer team bus attack
LUANDA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a shooting attack on the bus carrying Togo's national soccer team in Angola's enclave of Cabinda has risen to three, including the team's assistant coach and spokesman, according to reports reaching Luanda on Saturday.
Togo's goalie Kossi Agassa told the France-Info radio by phone that among the casualties, his team's second goalie was also seriously wounded and transported to South Africa for treatment. Full story
Shooting on Togo team won't affect WC: organizers
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- South African World Cup organizers said on Saturday that the fatal bus attack on the Togo team at the African Nations Cup in Angola should not impact on the tournament in South Africa later this year.
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Togo's reserve soccer goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale arrives on a stretcher at Lanseria airport after being evacuated to Johannesburg for medical treatment, January 9, 2010. The assistant coach and the press officer of Togo's national soccer delegation died on Saturday following an ambush on the team's bus as it travelled to the African Nations Cup in Angola, a team member told French radio. Friday's attack, in which the driver was also killed and seven others were injured, took place in Cabinda, a province where guerrillas have fought a secession campaign for decades. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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At least two people are reported having been died and several more were injured when gunmen opened fire on the Togo team bus on Friday. Full story
