African Cup of Nations

The bus driver is tatty bread

9 more 'hurt'

The shooters were clearly a bit useless

Africa is a disgrace.

GROUP D

CAMEROON

Coach: Paul Le Guen
Captain: Rigobert Song
Nickname: The Indomitable Lions
Cup record: Winners 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002; Qualified 16 times


One of the big favourites for this year's competition, the four-time winners are searching for their first title since recording back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2002. The Indomitable Lions have reached the quarter-finals in the past six African Nations Cups, and they are aiming to avenge a painful defeat to Egypt in the 2008 final. The likes of Jean Makoun, Samuel Eto'o and veteran Rigobert Song all provide valuable experience and in Paul Le Guen, they easily have the most renowned head coach of all the competitiors.

Qualification: With Otto Pfister at the helm, Cameroon cruised through their opening African qualification group, as Samuel Eto'o scored six goals in six games. But they failed to maintain their form and after a 1-0 away defeat to Togo and a home draw with Morocco in their opening two games, Pfister was sacked and former Lyon boss Paul Le Guen appointed. The Indomitable Lions experienced a revival in fortunes with Le Guen at the helm as, helped greatly by the scoring exploits Eto'o, they recorded four successive victories, including the 2-0 away win away to Morocco that secured top spot in the group and qualification for a African-record sixth World Cup finals.

One to watch: Samuel Eto'o - The striker burst onto the international scene as a fresh-face 20-year-old in the 2000 Nations Cup, netting four goals as the Indomitable Lions triumphed. Now the competition's all-time leading scorer with 16 strikes and having won the Golden Boot at the last two tournaments, the Inter Milan striker will be spearheading Cameroon's assault on a fifth title.

Trivia: Captain Rigobert Song is the leading appearance maker in African Nations Cup history - this will be his eighth tournament.

Soccernet prediciton: With a wealth of experience and quality, and a taste for revenge after losing the 2008 final, Paul Le Guen's side have what it takes to go all the way to the final. Losing finalists.

Goalkeepers: Carlos Kameni (Espanyol), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor), Guy N'Dy Assembe (Valenciennes)

Defenders: Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor), Geremi (Newcastle United), Henri Bedimo (Chateauroux), Andre Bikey (Burnley), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur) Aurelien Chedjou (Lille), Nicolas N'koulou (AS Monaco)

Midfielders: Alex Song (Arsenal), Jean Makoun (Lyon), Stephane M'bia (Marseille), Georges Mandjeck (1. FC Kaiserslautern), Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Eyong Enoh (Ajax), Landry N'guemo (Celtic), Achille Emana (Real Betis), Somen A Tchoyi (Red Bull Salzburg)

Forwards: Paul Alo'o Efloulou (AS Nancy), Achille Webo (Real Mallorca), Mohamadou Idrissou (SC Freiburg), Samuel Eto'o (Internazionale)

GABON

Coach: Alain Giresse
Captain: Daniel Cousin
Nickname: Black Panthers
Cup record: Quarter-finals 1996; Qualified four times


A first appearance in ten years comes after an excellent qualifying campaign, and Alain Giresse's men will be looking to do considerably better than a decade ago, when the Black Panthers finished bottom of the group - a 0-0 draw against DR Congo providing their only "bright spark". Gabon's best performance was at the 1996 tournament - mainly because of Nigeria's withdrawal for political reasons - when they scraped through their group before being knocked out of the quarter-finals on penalties by losing finalists Tunisia. In 2008, the Black Panthers have a chance for revenge, after being drawn in the same group as the Carthage Eagles, and after coming close to an unexpected World Cup finals berth, they have a real chance of emulating their 1996 achievement.

Qualification: After joining Ghana in qualifying from the first group stage despite both teams finishing level on 12 points with Libya, who were eliminated by virtue of an inferior record, Gabon challenged strongly for a place at the World Cup before missing out on the final matchday when losing 1-0 away at Togo to finish second in the group. Cameroon took top spot in Group A but beating Morocco home and away was key for Gabon as they joined Togo in reaching the African Cup of Nations finals.

One to watch: Daniel Cousin - The Hull City striker, on loan at QPR, will be relishing regular football having made only one start and two substitute appearances in the Premiership this season. His eye for goal, underlined by a successful spell with Rangers, combined with the attacking threat of rising star Pierre Emerick Aubameyang could make the Black Panthers dark horses.

Trivia: Gabon coach Alain Giresse played for France in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups and won the 1984 European Championship with les Bleus, forming the legendary "Carré Magique" (Magic Square) in midfield with Michel Platini, Luis Fernandez and Jean Tigana. Giresse was the first ever player to take a penalty in a World Cup shoot-out, successfully converting in France's 5-4 spot-kicks defeat to West Germany in the 1982 semi-finals.

Soccernet prediction: An impressive qualifying campaign has shown that this side has fantastic potential; expect them to be this year's surprise package. Quarter-finals.

SQUAD:-

Goalkeepers: Yves Bitseki Moto (US Bitam), Claude Boris Nguema (Telestars), Didier Ovono (Le Mans)

Defenders: Ernest Akouassaga (Nantes), Georges Ambourouet (Makedonija Skopje), Moise Brou Apanga (Brest), Arsene do Marcolino (Les Herbiers), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Angers), Rodrigue Moudounga (Mangasport), Erwin Nguema (Coton Sport)

Midfielders: Alain Djissikadie (TP Mazembe Englebert), Thierry Issiemou (US Monastir), Paul Kessany (Istres), Bruno Zita Mbanangoye (Sivasspor), Cedric Moubamba (Dhofar), Stephane Nguema (Stade Rennes), Arsene Copa (Gyor ETO, Hungary)

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (OSC Lille), Willy Aubameyang (Eupen), Daniel Cousin (Hull City), Fabrice do Marcolino (Laval), Roguy Meye (Ankaraspor), Eric Mouloungui (Nice) (Editing by Peter Rutherford)

ZAMBIA

Coach: Hervé Renard
Captain: Christopher Katongo
Nickname: Copper Bullets
Cup record: Runners up 1974, 1994; Qualified 14 times

Zambia's Nations Cup history is an emotional one, with the incredible 1994 final forever etched on the minds of Copper Bullets fans. The nation, stood on the brink of qualification for the 1994 World Cup when the plane - carrying the team to Senegal for a qualifying match - crashed in Gabon, killing the entire squad. The team that carried the torch of their fallen comrades following the disaster was packed full of young players, and despite failing to qualify for USA '94, they threw off the shackles at the 1994 Nations Cup, beating defending champions Ivory Coast in the group stages before seeing off Senegal and Mali (in a 4-0 thrashing) to reach the final. It was an astonishing feat and when the Copper Bullets took the lead against Nigeria it seemed the impossible might happen. But an Emmanuel Amuneke brace broke the hearts of not only Zambia, but the whole of the continent who had been routing for them.

Qualification: Zambia advanced from a group of just three teams in the second round, one of those nations being minnows Swaziland. Zambia lost their opening group match in Togo then could only draw in Swaziland but topped their group by winning their other two qualifiers at home. In the final round, they were unfortunate to be paired with strong pair Egypt and Algeria. But the Copper Bullets only had to hold off Rwanda to take the final spot at the African Nations Cup. They won the home match with Rawnda 1-0 and a 0-0 draw in the return secured a place in Angola. One to watch: Christopher Katongo - The 27-year-old striker, currently plying his trade at Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld, shot to fame when he fired a match-winning hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier against South Africa in 2007. Now captain, his pace and direct style will make him a handful for opposition defenders.

Trivia: Zambia hold the record for the most Nations Cup appearances - 13 in total - without winning the event. The landlocked country situated in the south of the African continent came close to lifting the trophy twice, but victory eluded them in 1974 and two decades later in 1994.

Soccernet prediction: Another team that will relish the underdog tag, Zambia's Nations Cup pedigree is considerably better than many of their fellow minnows. Relying on a tight defence, which conceded just six goals in ten qualifying matches, Zambia will be hard to break down but another underdog story is unlikely. Group stage exit.

SQUAD:-

Goalkeepers: Jacob Banda (Zesco Utd), Kalililo Kakonje (AmaZulu), Kennedy Mweene (Free State Stars)

Defenders: Dennis Banda (Green Buffaloes), Hichani Homoonde (Tout Puissant Mazembe), Chintu Kampamba (Free State Stars) Joseph Musonda (Golden Arrows), Emmanuel Mbola (Pyunik Yerevan), Thomas Nyirenda (Zanaco)

Midfielders: Isaac Chansa (Helsingborg), Noah Chivuta (Maritzburg Utd), Rainford Kalaba (Uniao Leiria), Francis Kasonde (Al-Suwaiq), Felix Katongo (Mamelodi Sundown), Clifford Mulenga (Mpumalanga Black Aces), William Njobvu (Hapoel Kiryat Shmone), Stopilla Sunzu (Zanaco)

Strikers: James Chamanga (Dalian Shide), Christopher Katongo (Arminia Bielefeld), Emmanuel Mayuka (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Collins Mbesuma (Moroka Swallows), Jacob Mulenga (Utrecht), Given Singuluma (Mazembe)

TUNISIA

Coach: Faouzi Benzarti
Captain: Karim Haggui
Nickname: Carthage Eagles
Cup record: Winners 2004; Qualified 14 times

You can still hear the groans of disappointment in Tunis, as Faouzi Benzarti's still struggle to come to terms with the fact that they handed Nigeria World Cup qualification on a silver platter, losing 1-0 to minnows Mozambique in their final game to miss out on the finals in South Africa. One of the more established powers in African football, it may come as surprise that the Carthage Eagles have won the Nations Cup just once, a feat that occurred when they hosted the competition in 2004. Two quarter-finals appearances have followed but it has been tough for the Carthage Eagles to take as they could only watch on on both occasions as North-African rivals Egypt usurped them as kings of the continent. With a team containing plenty of European-based players, Tunisia have the tools at their disposal to make a good showing in Angola.

Qualification: The Carthage Eagles were one of the eight best runners-up in the first group stage, finishing second in Group 9 after losing at home and drawing away to Burkina Faso, who took top spot. Their challenge for World Cup qualification went down to the final day but they suffered heartbreak when squandering first place by losing 1-0 in Mozambique. Nigeria therefore had to beat Kenya to finish top and saw Obafemi Martins score with eight minutes remaining in a 3-2 win over Kenya to condemn Tunisia to second.

One to watch: Ousemma Darragi - With Tunisia missing arguably their best player, Yassine Chikhaoui, through injury, the 2008/09 Tunisian Player of the Year will be the attacking heartbeat of the North African's efforts. The 22-year-old midfielder, highly regarded for his flair and vision, has been the subject of mounting interest from several European sides and an impressive showing will surely seal a move to the continent.

Trivia: Tunisia became the first African team to win a game at the World Cup, coming from behind to beat Mexico 3-1 in their first ever Finals match at the 1978 event in Argentina.

Soccernet prediction: Faouzi Benzarti's side will be seething after throwing away World Cup qualification in November, but with Gabon promising to spring a surprise, the Carthage Eagles may be going home early.

SQUAD:-

Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha (CA Bizerte), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile Sahel), Adel Nefzi (Club Africain)

Defenders: Yassine Mikari (Sochaux), Souhail Ben Radhia (Etoile Sahel), Khelil Chammam (Esperance), Radhouene Felhi (1860 Munich, Germany), Karim Haggui (Hannover 96), Bilel Ifa (Club Africain), Ammar Jemel (Etoile Sahel), Khaled Souissi (Club Africain)

Midfielders: Chaouki Ben Saada (Nice, France), Oussama Darragi (Esperance), Chadi Hammami (CS Sfaxien), Khaled Korbi (Esperance), Haithem Mrabet (CS Sfaxien), Mohamed Ali Nafkha (Etoile Sahel), Hocine Ragued (Slavia Prague)

Forwards: Ahmed Akaichi (Etoile Sahel), Amine Chermiti (Al Ittihad Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Zouheir Dhaouadi (Club Africain), Issam Jomaa (Racing Lens, France), Youssef Msakni (Esperance).

The Professor wrote:

Kimbo wrote:It is similar to Hargreaves, i don't know about him though, maybe he always intended to play for England, not that it makes much difference as a i think he should be a Canada player. Bassong was a french U21, and i got the impression while he was here that playing for france was an ambition of his.

Could well be the case. But just like i said earlier, human beings don't always follow their hearts when making career choices, they do what they think is best for them.

Anyway, I found this Bassong interview from 2006. He was playing for Metz back then and here's what he said:

• Vous savez, même si je suis né en France, mon cœur bat pour les Lions. Mon cœur est camerounais, la question ne se pose pas. Je suis Camerounais

http://www.camfoot.com/Bassong-FC-Metz-Mon-coeur-bat-pour.html

Roughly translated; even though he was born in France his heart was with Cameroon.

Seems very clear about the fact that he is proud to be from Cameroon.

"My heart is Cameroon, of that there is not question" Something like that but a french poster could get it completely right. However that said I still think he should have gone for Cameroon because it is not like it was a small footballing country at the time when he opted for France. Now I don't know all the ins and outs so hard to judge but I think one should always choose with the heart when it comes to national teams. Being a mecenary is what club football is about.

Cant believe some c**ts tried to kill the Togo team, glad they were thick c**ts and shot the worng bus at the start which obviously help save some lives.

I hope ethey cancel the comp or at least Togo pull out !

Jaime wrote:Togo footballers shot in ambush

Officials say the shooting occurred in the Angolan oil-rich territory of Cabinda, where rebels have been fighting for independence.

The Angolan government called the incident an "act of terrorism". There are reports of serious injuries.

Togo is due to play its first game in Cabinda on Monday.

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor was on the bus but is unhurt. In a statement, Manchester City said Adebayor had been "shaken by the terrible events" but was "unharmed".

The bus was travelling to Cabinda from the squad's training ground in the Republic of Congo when the shooting happened.

"This was an act of terrorism," Cabinda affairs minister Bento Bembe told Reuters news agency.

However Africa Cup of Nations officials described the attackers as armed robbers.

Togo striker Thomas Dossevi told France's RMC radio that several players were "in a bad state".

"We were machine-gunned, like dogs," he said. "At the border with Angola - machine-gunned! I don't know why. I thought it was some rebels. We were under the seats of the bus for 20 minutes, trying to get away from the bullets."

The identities of those injured - who also included team staff - are not known.

Togo are due to play Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in their group matches. Their first game is against Ghana.

Midfielder Alaixys Romao told RMC Togo were now likely to pull out of the 16-nation tournament.

"No-one wants to play," he said. "We're not capable of it.

"We're thinking first of all about the health of our injured because there was a lot of blood on the ground."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8449319.stm

Adebayor interview (will only work if you are based in UK I'm afraid)

"to be honest - without the security I would not be talking to you and maybe you can talk to my dead body"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8449686.stm

It's ridiculous a tournament with players adding up to over 400 mill probably or more has things like this happen. Seriously i don't get it.

That's backward Africa for ya.

L r dd wrote:It's ridiculous a tournament with players adding up to over 400 mill probably or more has things like this happen. Seriously i don't get it.

Just because these players are high profile it doesn't magically change the places they came from. Why would you think it would? I mean I don't think this shooting is related to these guys being footballers from what I can tell from the article Jaime posted. Even if it was planned it is not hard to figure out this could happen?

Rebels in need of money and they know a bus with footballers are coming by. 1+1=2

The only thing I don't understand is why they couldn't fly them in even if it is from neighbouring Congo. They must know of the danger if there is rebels in that region. Now I remember that Togo was the federation that couldn't pay its players at the last world cup so perhaps it is simply a question of not having the money to fly the players.

Super Higuain wrote:

L r dd wrote:It's ridiculous a tournament with players adding up to over 400 mill probably or more has things like this happen. Seriously i don't get it.

Just because these players are high profile it doesn't magically change the places they came from. Why would you think it would? I mean I don't think this shooting is related to these guys being footballers from what I can tell from the article Jaime posted. Even if it was planned it is not hard to figure out this could happen?

Rebels in need of money and they know a bus with footballers are coming by. 1+1=2

The only thing I don't understand is why they couldn't fly them in even if it is from neighbouring Congo. They must know of the danger if there is rebels in that region. Now I remember that Togo was the federation that couldn't pay its players at the last world cup so perhaps it is simply a question of not having the money to fly the players.

Well i don't suddenly think Africa is no longer a shitehole because Drogba has turned out a world class striker. I mean with all those players worth so much you think the security would be super tight, it wouldn't be held in countries where this was even possible and that they'd take every precaution possible

L r dd wrote:Well i don't suddenly think Africa is no longer a shitehole because Drogba has turned out a world class striker. I mean with all those players worth so much you think the security would be super tight, it wouldn't be held in countries where this was even possible and that they'd take every precaution possible

Care to name some of those countries?

Poor people with weapons can attack rich people without weapons in any country in the world.


The racism/continentism on this thread could be cut with a knife.

Togo's football team are pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations following a deadly gun attack on their team bus in Angola.

Two players were shot and injured in the attack in Angola's northern province of Cabinda on Friday and the coach driver was killed.

Organisers say the tournament will go ahead but Togo's players had been discussing whether they would stay.

Team captain Emmanuel Adebayor said on Friday many players wanted to go home.

The BBC's Russell Fuller in Angola says the head of the Ghanaian Football Association has confirmed to him that the Togolese team have pulled out.

The Togo squad is on its way to the airport to leave the country, he says.

Adebayor, who plays for Manchester City, told the BBC: "I think a lot of players want to leave, I don't think they want to be at this tournament any more because they have seen their death already.

"Most of the players want to go back to their family. No-one can sleep after what they have seen today."

Among the nine people injured were two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.

To be expected.

Bubbles wrote:

L r dd wrote:Well i don't suddenly think Africa is no longer a shitehole because Drogba has turned out a world class striker. I mean with all those players worth so much you think the security would be super tight, it wouldn't be held in countries where this was even possible and that they'd take every precaution possible

Care to name some of those countries?

Poor people with weapons can attack rich people without weapons in any country in the world.


The racism/continentism on this thread could be cut with a knife.

Conservative Party Conference 1984.

They should just have held every political party event outside the British Isles after that

Still dont understand why the fuck they were driving back to Angola.

Muppets.

Adebayour could of paid for the flights himself if Togo Federation was skint

The Santa Stalker wrote:

Bubbles wrote:

L r dd wrote:Well i don't suddenly think Africa is no longer a shitehole because Drogba has turned out a world class striker. I mean with all those players worth so much you think the security would be super tight, it wouldn't be held in countries where this was even possible and that they'd take every precaution possible

Care to name some of those countries?

Poor people with weapons can attack rich people without weapons in any country in the world.


The racism/continentism on this thread could be cut with a knife.

Conservative Party Conference 1984.

They should just have held every political party event outside the British Isles after that

Oh shut the fuck ''I have black skin so i can comment like im an African'' fuck off TS you're as a black as my ass.

You wouldn't get a team bus being shot in that way in any country in europe for a tournament no way. Places like Egypt and such would have much better security for players.

Adebayor..ADEBAYOOOOOOOOORRR
He dodges bullets...from an AK-seventyfour!

Seriously though, what they hell do they expect from a country whom's flag is this

L r dd wrote:

The Santa Stalker wrote:

Bubbles wrote:

L r dd wrote:Well i don't suddenly think Africa is no longer a shitehole because Drogba has turned out a world class striker. I mean with all those players worth so much you think the security would be super tight, it wouldn't be held in countries where this was even possible and that they'd take every precaution possible

Care to name some of those countries?

Poor people with weapons can attack rich people without weapons in any country in the world.


The racism/continentism on this thread could be cut with a knife.

Conservative Party Conference 1984.

They should just have held every political party event outside the British Isles after that

Oh shut the fuck ''I have black skin so i can comment like im an African'' fuck off TS you're as a black as my ass.

You wouldn't get a team bus being shot in that way in any country in europe for a tournament no way. Places like Egypt and such would have much better security for players.

what a Leetard

either your Geography or your History is lacking, my guess is it's both

the USA isn't in Africa, nor is Germany, you'd trust these countries to host a similar tournament but both have had similar incidents occur

Take Argentina for example : they only won 78 because of the machine guns of the junta.

They paid us back in the form of a hot princess though

Ghana is apparently trying to withdraw as well.

Iraq Hysén Osama wrote:

L r dd wrote:

The Santa Stalker wrote:

Bubbles wrote:

L r dd wrote:Well i don't suddenly think Africa is no longer a shitehole because Drogba has turned out a world class striker. I mean with all those players worth so much you think the security would be super tight, it wouldn't be held in countries where this was even possible and that they'd take every precaution possible

Care to name some of those countries?

Poor people with weapons can attack rich people without weapons in any country in the world.


The racism/continentism on this thread could be cut with a knife.

Conservative Party Conference 1984.

They should just have held every political party event outside the British Isles after that

Oh shut the fuck ''I have black skin so i can comment like im an African'' fuck off TS you're as a black as my ass.

You wouldn't get a team bus being shot in that way in any country in europe for a tournament no way. Places like Egypt and such would have much better security for players.

what a Leetard

either your Geography or your History is lacking, my guess is it's both

the USA isn't in Africa, nor is Germany, you'd trust these countries to host a similar tournament but both have had similar incidents occur

Yeah they should hold the next ACN in Somalia because in 1502 the king of England was shot

Apparently Adebayor ran the full length of the bus to celebrate in front of the gunners...

how recent an example do you require before admitting you have been pwned Leetard?

Sri Lanka cricket team attacked in Africa?

Barcelona vs Real Madrid car bombs in Africa?

Munich games in Africa?

Atlanta knapsack bombings in Africa?

Grand National in Africa?

Ryder Cup in Africa?

:srspwnage:

Togo players unanimously decide to stay

The Togo national football side will play in the African Nations Cup in ''memory of the dead'', according to two of the players. It had been thought that Togo would pull out after the attack on their bus on Friday.

The players had initially said they did not want to play in the tournament, and the government recalled the team, following the machine gun ambush by Cabinda separatists that killed an assistant coach, squad spokesman and bus driver and left many others injured.

"In memory of the dead, the national team has decided to play in the African Nations Cup," Thomas Dossevi told AFP.

"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. It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities."

He said the team is "a bit bitter, we are a little disappointed with the Confederation of African Football (CAF)...which couldn't arrange for a postponement of our first match so we could bury our dead."

Dossevi, who plays for French side Nantes, was scathing about CAF. "CAF puts its interests first and not those of the countries," he said. "They did not support us enough."

L'Equipe also quoted midfielder Alaixys Romao as saying the team had agreed to stay in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda for its first Group B match against Ghana on Monday.

"The decision was taken unanimously," said Romao, who plays for French club side Grenoble.

A Togolese minister said on Saturday that the government had decided to pull the team out of the tournament, which starts on Sunday, because of "this dramatic situation". 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."

Officials of the team and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were not immediately available for comment.

However, Manchester City said on their website that their striker Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo's captain, was returning home. "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."

Togo Prime Minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo has said there will be a mourning period of three days for the dead. "The government has decided to decree three days of national mourning beginning from Monday," he said on national television.

The Muss wrote:Apparently Adebayor ran the full length of the bus to celebrate in front of the gunners...

I like the new guy

Di Caniooooo! wrote:

The Muss wrote:Apparently Adebayor ran the full length of the bus to celebrate in front of the gunners...

I like the new guy

Perhaps, but no one likes you.

The Muss wrote:Apparently Adebayor ran the full length of the bus to celebrate in front of the gunners...

Messiah wrote:

Togo players unanimously decide to stay

The Togo national football side will play in the African Nations Cup in ''memory of the dead'', according to two of the players. It had been thought that Togo would pull out after the attack on their bus on Friday.

The players had initially said they did not want to play in the tournament, and the government recalled the team, following the machine gun ambush by Cabinda separatists that killed an assistant coach, squad spokesman and bus driver and left many others injured.

"In memory of the dead, the national team has decided to play in the African Nations Cup," Thomas Dossevi told AFP.

"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. It was a decision taken nearly unanimously by the team which met during the night after having been reassured by the Angolan authorities."

He said the team is "a bit bitter, we are a little disappointed with the Confederation of African Football (CAF)...which couldn't arrange for a postponement of our first match so we could bury our dead."

Dossevi, who plays for French side Nantes, was scathing about CAF. "CAF puts its interests first and not those of the countries," he said. "They did not support us enough."

L'Equipe also quoted midfielder Alaixys Romao as saying the team had agreed to stay in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda for its first Group B match against Ghana on Monday.

"The decision was taken unanimously," said Romao, who plays for French club side Grenoble.

A Togolese minister said on Saturday that the government had decided to pull the team out of the tournament, which starts on Sunday, because of "this dramatic situation". 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."

Officials of the team and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were not immediately available for comment.

However, Manchester City said on their website that their striker Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo's captain, was returning home. "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."

Togo Prime Minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo has said there will be a mourning period of three days for the dead. "The government has decided to decree three days of national mourning beginning from Monday," he said on national television.

Happy they are staying but not sure if it's the wisest thing to do.

They should move all group B matches to Angola, that Cabinda region isn't safe IMO.

they are going home the Togolese government has ordered it