May 14 – Togo have been officially cleared to play in the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifying competition after an Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive meeting in Cairo, a statement released today said.
Togo had been controversially barred from the next two editions of the biennial tournament after withdrawing from the 2010 finals in Angola in January without informing the organisers.
A rebel attack on the Togolese team bus as it entered the restive Angolan enclave of Cabinda after a training camp in neighbouring Congo claimed the lives of an assistant coach and an official.
While the players eventually voted to fulfil their three group fixtures, the Togolese Government ordered them to withdraw.
The CAF’s decision drew worldwide criticism and the Togolese Football Federation (TFF) took the matter to the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But, in a deal brokered by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, earlier this month the TFF accepted that they had broken CAF rules in return for the ban being lifted.
In an amended 2012 group draw released by CAF, Togo have been added to Group K and will compete with Tunisia, Botswana, Chad and Malawi for two places at finals being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
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