CABINDA, Angola: Togo's soccer team forward said yesterday the team is leaving Angola after its government recalled them from the African Cup of Nations tournament, accusing host Angola of failing to protect the players following a deadly ambush on their bus.

The players themselves had earlier said they wanted to stay and compete in honor of the dead, who included their assistant coach, a team spokesman and the Angolan bus driver.

The Togo team was ambushed late on Friday in an attack blamed on militants fighting for the independence of Cabinda, killing three and injuring eight.