The Hawks today decided to pull out of the tournament as the death toll from the attack reportedly rose to three.

Togo's team bus came under machine gun fire yesterday just after it had crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Angolan enclave of Cabinda.

It was confirmed last night the bus driver was killed, while reports today claimed an assistant coach and a press officer also died from their injuries.

Togo were due to face Ghana in their opening Group B match on Monday in Cabinda, but the nation's government decided to withdraw the team from the tournament.

Togo government spokesperson Pascal Bodjona told reporters: "We can't continue in these dramatic circumstances in the African Nations Cup. It was necessary because our players are in shock."

News of the attack has caused a great deal of concern in the Ghana camp, and they have offered words of sympathy to their fellow Africans.

"We were all saddened by the news when reports broke out on Friday. We had arrived a day before with no incidents and never expected such an attack," Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi told www.ghanafa.org.

"But when the Togolese described the moment of terror to us, we were really shaken to the core. Everyone was frightened and I must admit, we are gradually getting over it."

Despite the attack, the Confederation of African Football have stated the tournament will go ahead but Ghana remain in limbo over their opening match.

However, Nyantakyi insists the Black Stars are ready for the game and would welcome Togo's participation in the competition.

"Yes, we would be ready for the game. The players have managed to overcome it and are going about their preparations," he added.

"Though we acknowledge the terrifying nature of the attack, we hope Togo would rescind their decision to withdraw."

However, he appreciates a major review of security in the region is needed in order to reassure his players and the other teams in Group B, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

"We have sought assurances from the organisers, the LOC (Local Organising Committee) and the government of Angola," Nyantakyi said.

"It's important for us to be able to lift the players from such a gloom that has engulfed the competition and one key area is the security that needs to be put in place.

"The incident happened some 150km away from Cabinda but it's imperative that measures are put in place to forestall any future occurrence.

"The safety of everyone is most important and we hope we can go through the competition without any setback. It's rather unfortunate that the African Cup of Nations has experienced such an incident."

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togo captain, and Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou were among the players caught up in the attack.

City revealed in a statement on their official website, www.mcfc.co.uk, that Adebayor and his team-mates held a meeting this morning before deciding they wished to pull out of the tournament.

It added: "It has been made clear by manager Roberto Mancini and senior officials that Emmanuel will now be given as much time as he needs to recover from the horrific attack."

Salifou later described the horror he and his Togo team-mates faced.

"It was only 15 minutes after we crossed into Angola that the coach came under heavy fire from rebels," he said on Villa's official website, www.avfc.co.uk.

"The driver of the coach was shot almost immediately and died instantly, so we were just stopped on the road with nowhere to go.

"Our security people saved us. They were in two separate cars, about 10 of them in total and they returned fire. The shooting lasted for half an hour and I could hear the bullets whistling past me. It was like a movie.

"I know I am really lucky. I was in the back of the coach with Emmanuel Adebayor and one of the goalkeepers.

"A defender who was sat in front of me took two shots in the back. The goalkeeper, Kodjovi Obilale, one of my best friends, was shot in the chest and stomach area and he has been flown to South Africa to undergo an operation to save his life."

Obilale was set to undergo surgery this evening, according to Dr Richard Friedland, the chief executive of Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg where the goalkeeper is now being treated.

"He is conscious and in a stable condition," Dr Friedland said. "He has two gunshot wounds in the lower back and in the abdomen."

Defender Serge Akakpo, who plays his club football in Romania, was confirmed yesterday as the second player shot.

The English Football Association issued a statement to say they are keeping a close eye on events in Angola and will do everything in their power to ensure the safety of the Premier League players at the tournament.