Premier League clubs were trying to pull their players out of the Africa Cup of Nations after a terrorist attack on the Togo team coach in Angola left at least three people dead.


The Togo players, including £25million Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Aston Villa's Moustapha Salifou, announced their withdrawal from the tournament, despite pleas from the Togo FA, despite pleas from the Togo FA, and were due to fly out on Sunday morning.


Manchester City captain Kolo Toure was also discussing with his Ivory Coast team-mates whether to withdraw, and was said to be 'nervous' about his participation.


But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was happy for Ivory Coast's Emmanuel Eboue to remain in Angola and play against Burkina Faso in Cabinda, scene of the terror attack, tomorrow. Wenger said: 'I don't believe you should stop a competition because that rewards the wrong people and provokes further incidents.'


Adebayor was sitting yards away from the Togo assistant coach and Press officer when they were killed in the machine-gun attack along with the team's Angolan coach driver.


Another 24 players from English clubs remain in Angola but last night there were calls for them to return home, even if FIFA continue with the competition, due to start today in the capital Luanda with a match between Angola and Mali.


Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, whose club have Danny Shittu representing Nigeria, said: 'The players should be brought home as safety is paramount.


'We are concerned because one of our players is there and I am sure other Premier League clubs feel the same. I think anyone in that situation would want to get home as soon as possible.