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REUTERS - Togo will be suspended from the next two African Nations Cups following their withdrawal from this year’s competition after two members of their delegation were 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,” 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 Cup and fined the Togo FA 50,000 U.S. dollars.”

Two members of the Togolese delegation 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.