Togo banned from next two Africa Cup of Nations

Togo have been banned from the next two Africa Nations Cups after their withdrawal from this year's competition in the wake of two members of their delegation being killed in an ambush, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Saturday.

"The players publicly expressed their willingness to return to the Nations Cup to compete. But the Togo government decided to call back their national team," the CAF said in a statement.



"The decision by political authorities contravenes CAF and African Nations Cup regulations. The executive committee therefore has banned Togo from the next two African Nations Cups and fined the Togo FA 50,000 U.S. dollars."

A Togolese assistant coach and a press officer died following an ambush on their bus in the northern Angolan province of Cabinda on Jan. 8, prompting the government to recall the team for three days of mourning.