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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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LOME, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Togo's Prime Minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo on Sunday said the nation's football team must return home after suffering an attack during the African Nations Cup in Angola, while the team had previously decided to continue to play.
The prime minister said the team must return home, and if any team play under the banner of Togo, that must be false representation.
Houngbo made the announcement after separatist rebels opened fire as the Togo soccer team's buses crossed into the Angolan enclave of Cabinda for the football tournament on Friday.
A spokesperson and an assistant coach for the team were killed and several others were injured in the attack. The Togo government has decided to hold three days of mourning for the victims.
However, reports from the French sports newspaper L'Equipe has said on Sunday the Togo team will continue to play in the African Nations Cup despite the deadly gun attack and even though its government has withdrawn the side.¡¡The report quoted midfielder Alaixys Romao as saying the team had agreed to stay in Cabinda for its Group B opener against Ghana on Monday. "The decision was taken unanimously," the player was quoted as saying.
