CAF president Issa Hayatou has told the Togolese delegation that it is up to them to decide what is best for the team and added that CAF would ‘understand’ and accept whatever decision they take.

The CAF president was speaking in the wake of the separatist rebel shooting which claimed the lives of two members of the delegation and left several others wounded.

There have been mixed signals from the West African country, with the players first deciding to go home, then making a turn-around, but then being ordered home by their government, who are reportedly sending an aircraft to bring the team home for three days of national mourning.

"You came here to play football but unfortunately two of your brothers were killed. I am feeling terribly bad and short of words,” the CAF president said.

"It is left to you to decide to stay in a competition of fraternity, brotherhood, friendship and solidarity. And in case you decide to leave the competition, we will definitely understand your decision and it will be accepted.

It is a difficult choice, individual choice and also collective choice, you are the only one can decide.”

Ends