Reports: No return for Togo

Togo’s request to return to the African Nations Cup has been rejected, according to reports.

The country’s sports minister Christophe Tchao had asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to keep the team’s place in the event open before they flew back to Togo last night following Friday’s terrorist attack which left three people dead.

But CAF, who were keen for Togo to remain in Angola and play their scheduled fixtures, have ruled out a return, according to the BBC.

Tchao said last night: “We have ordered a three-day (period of) mourning.

“The players are leaving with the bodies of their fallen brothers and we have asked the Confederation of African Football to find an arrangement so we can catch up with the competition later.”

That request has fallen on deaf ears and Group B will now contain just three teams – Ivory Coast, Burkino Faso and Ghana.