Togo sends plane to bring team home: PM

Togo’s government sent a plane to Angola to bring home its national football team from the violence-marred Africa Cup of Nations after an attack left at least two dead and nine others injured, said Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo.

“We are awaiting the Togolise delegation today in Lome,” Houngbo told journalists.

Togo ordered its footballers home from the Africa Cup of Nations, even though the squad had expressed the desire to stay and take to the pitch in the wake of Friday’s ambush on their convoy by militants.

At least two members of the Togolese contingent — one an assistant coach, the other a team spokesman — were killed and nine wounded when hooded gunmen opened fire on Togo’s players as they drove into Angola’s northern Cabinda enclave from neighbouring Congo-Brazzaville.

Separatist rebels in Cabinda have claimed responsibility for the attack.