We had no intention to re-enter tourney: Togo PM

Togo's involvement in the African Nations Cup is over following their failure to appear for their opening match against Ghana yesterday.

Togo's involvement in the African Nations Cup is over following their failure to appear for their opening match against Ghana yesterday.

Togo's sports minister Christophe Tchao was quoted as saying a formal request had been made but Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo later denied they intended to re-enter the tournament.

Houngbo told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I do believe there is confusion. The information you have got, I'm afraid, might not be the most accurate.

"We have simply withdrawn our team, it is not a matter of withdrawing for the mourning period.

"The information that has been circulated on some websites saying the players are just back for three days' mourning and will then go back playing is quite wrong.

"We withdrew our team on the basis they have been the victim of a terrorist attack."

There had been uncertainty over Togo's intentions since the team returned home from Angola after a gun attack on their team bus which left three people reportedly dead last Friday.

The Confederation of African Football have been largely silent on the matter amid conflicting reports over whether the team would return to Angola.

But an official told reporters that if the west African side were not on the pitch come kick-off for their first game, they would be disqualified from the event.

The Togo players failed to take the pitch for their Group B opener, putting an end to any lingering doubt over their involvement in the tournament.

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