The death toll has now reportedly risen to three after the bus came under machine gunfire yesterday.

It had just crossed the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Angolan enclave of Cabinda.

Last night it was confirmed that the bus driver was killed in the attack, while reports from France today said an assistant coach and a press officer had also died.

There was confusion surrounding the condition of reserve team goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale. It had been widely reported in the French media that he had died.

But a statement from his club, French team GSI Pontivy, read: "According to news given by coach Alain Le Dour and GSI Pontivy president Philippe Le Mestre, Kodjovi Obilale is not dead, despite the news reported on the internet, radio and television, and has been moved to South Africa."

Aston Villa midfielder Moustapha Salifou, who was on the bus, also said Obilale had been transferred to South Africa.

"The goalkeeper (Obilale) is 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," he told Villa's official website.

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Manchester City confirmed their striker Emmanuel Adebayor - the Togo captain - was returning home.

A statement on the club's official website, www.mcfc.co.uk, read: "Togo has pulled out of the African Nations Cup after their team bus came under gunfire in Angola.

"City star Emmanuel Adebayor, who is captain of the Togo side, was unharmed in the ambush and he and his team-mates met this morning before deciding that they wished to pull out of the tournament.

"Their first game in the tournament had been scheduled to take place on Monday against Ghana, but they are now heading home to their families.

"Organisers have so far insisted the tournament will go ahead.

"The club is in regular contact with Emmanuel, his advisors and the English Football Association. 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."

Goalkeeper Kossi Agassa, who plays for French club Istres, told France-Info radio station assistant coach Abalo Ametele and press officer Stan Ocloo had died.

Defender Serge Akakpo, who players his club football in Romania, was confirmed by his club last night as the other player shot in the attack.

Midfielder Alaixys Romao claimed the Togo players were encouraging other teams to pull out of the competition.

"We're also talking to the other teams in our group to try to convince them to boycott the competition too,'' the Grenoble player told L'Equipe.

Striker Jonathan Ayite added on French radio station RMC: "We're going back home. Ghana and the Ivory Coast are in solidarity with us.''

Togo were due to kick off their campaign against Ghana on Monday.

The separatist group The Front for the Liberation of Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), which were reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack, have now denied they carried it out.

A statement from the group read: "Le Front de Liberation de l'Enclave du Cabinda deny all responsibility for the criminal attack which the Republic of Togo, here to participate in the 2010 African Nations cup, fell victim to.

"We vigorously condemn this barbaric act and repeat their commitment to strive for dialogue, reconciliation and peace in Cabinda.

"Le Front de Liberation de l'Enclave du Cabinda call on the Angolan authorities to make every effort to arrest and bring to justice the backers and creators of this insane act.

"We support the continuation of the 2010 African Nations Cup at Cabinda. To that end they urge the authorities of the Republic of Angola to take every necessary measure of security for the smooth running and success of this great continental event which brings together all Africans.

"We would like to express their support to the whole delegation of the Togo team and share their deep sadness."

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The English FA have been in touch with officials from FIFA and the African Football Confederation, and they have vowed to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Premier League players.

A statement read: "Following the terrible events involving the Togo national football team in Angola yesterday, the FA has been in continual contact with all of the English clubs who have African Nations Cup players.

"We are also working closely with and being helpfully supported by the Premier League and League Managers Association.

"The FA has also been in regular contact with FIFA to obtain as much information and guidance as possible. This has involved conversations with FIFA's General Secretary. We have also spoken to the Deputy General Secretary of CAF. The FA will maintain frequent contact with both organisations.

"All of English football would like to offer our sincere condolences to everyone connected with the Togo squad, especially to the families of those who have been tragically killed or have been injured.

"We will do all we can to ensure the welfare and safety of all Premier League players in Angola representing their countries."

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Udinese confirmed they had asked for the return of their midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, who is with the Ghana squad.

A statement from the Serie A club read: ``Primarily to the physical protection of our player Kwadwo Asamoah, Udinese Calcio has asked the Ghana Football Association and FIFA for the immediate return of our player.

``It should also be stressed that the overall situation - in itself very disturbing - is made even more dangerous for Ghana as they play in the same group of Togo and consequently in the places where this very grave and cowardly attack on the Togo athletes took place.''

Togo coach Hubert Velud claimed earlier today the authorities should seriously consider whether to call off the whole tournament, although Angola insist their country is committed to hosting a secure competition and said they would step up security.

``We can at least pose ourselves that question,'' Velud told French radio station RMC this morning. ``It's an act of barbarism while we are here to celebrate African football.

``In these situations you become a bit paranoid, you doubt everything.

``We don't feel that the authorities are taking this very seriously.

``I don't mean that they want to hush up the matter, but almost."

He added: ``What's sure is that the army saved our lives. Without them, the rebels would have destroyed us because we didn't have any defence.

``But we are all in shock because it's an act of war. There was a lot of blood and fear in the bus.''

Premier League managers voiced their concerns over security at the tournament.

Hull boss Phil Brown wants his two players - Gabon striker Daniel Cousin and Nigerian midfielder Seyi Olofinjana - to return to England.

Brown told The Sun: ``I am appalled. This throws a question mark against next summer's World Cup. You simply cannot put the safety of players, officials and fans at the slightest risk. That is totally unacceptable.

``I have two players - Daniel Cousin and Seyi Olofinjana - on duty and I want them back home here with us as quickly as possible.''

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp does not have any players at the tournament but has urged organisers to consider whether it should now go ahead.

Redknapp said: ``It's frightening. I agree it's worth considering calling the whole thing off. We can't just sit around and wait for the next shooting.''

The Confederation of African Football held an emergency meeting last night and released a statement where they talked about taking ``decisions to guarantee the smooth running of the competition''.

Angolan officials were set to hold a meeting with the Confederation of African Football today.

CAF have questioned why Togo were travelling by road rather than flying.