1:53pm UK, Monday January 11, 2010

Neal Walker, Sky News Online

Two people have been arrested in connection with the attack on Togo’s national football team in Angola, according to state media.

The Togo team flew home with the bodies of those killed in the attack

Three people were killed when gunmen opened fire on the team’s bus in Cabinda on Friday.

Two suspects were arrested close to where the attack took place, Angola’s National Radio reported.

“Two people have been captured. When we have more information, we will pass it on to the public,” Cabinda’s provincial attorney general Antonio Nito told the station.

Togo’s assistant coach Amalete Abalo and media spokesman Stanislas Ocloo died in Friday’s attack, along with the Angolan bus driver. Eight others were injured.

The Togo squad are now back home. The players wanted to stay on and take part in the African Cup of Nations as a mark of respect for those killed, but were overruled by their government.

However, the country’s sports minister has suggested the team could return to Angola by the middle of the week.

Christophe Tchao told reporters before the squad left Cabinda: “We have ordered three days of mourning.

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

Togolese prime minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo and president Faure Gnassingbe ordered the team back home despite a last-ditch bid by the CAF to keep them in Angola.

Mr Houngbo told French sports paper L’Equipe: “We understand the approach of the players, who wanted to express a way to avenge their fallen comrades, but it would be irresponsible to let them continue.

“The team must return. The government’s decision is unchanged.”

He added: “If a team or a person present themselves under the banner of Togo, it would be a false representation.”

Manchester City striker and Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor reluctantly accepted the decision after speaking with President Gnassingbe.

He told French radio station RMC: “There was a meeting between players on Saturday, and we said we were still footballers.

“We all decided to do something good for the country and play to honour those who died.”

He added: “Unfortunately, the head of state and the country’s authorities have decided otherwise. We will pack up and go home.”

Angolan officials have blamed separatist group The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) for the attack.