Thousands of people in the east African country of Togo have demonstrated against the suspension of its national football team from the next two rounds of the African Nations Cup. The Confederation of African Football announced its ban of Togo last week, following the withdrawal of the team from this year’s tournament.

In the capital Lomé, thousands took to the streets to protest. They called on the president of the CAF, Issa Hayatou, to resign and waved banners bearing slogans describing him as a “shame to Africa”. They urged other African countries to join their protest.

The Togolese team withdrew from this year's competition following the death of two team members in an ambush in the Angolan province of Cabinda on 8 January. Although the players said they still wanted to take part in the cup, they eventually acceded to Togolese Prime Minister Gilbert Fousson Houngbo's request that they return home for three days of national mourning. The CAF said the recall by Togolese authorities contravened CAF and African Nations Cup regulations and that this had led to the suspension.

Photo of Togo team players, with captain Emmanuel Adebayor on left, from ANP