CAS dismisses Togo appeal against ANC ban

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal from the Togo soccer federation to be included in the qualifying draw for the African Cup of Nations.

Sport's highest court made the decision Thursday, two days before the draw in Lubumbashi, Congo. The 2012 tournament will be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Togo will not be included after soccer's African governing body suspended the nation from the 2012 and 2014 African Cups. The team's bus was attacked by gunmen and two officials killed during last month's tournament in Angola. While the team agreed to remain in Angola and play, the Togo government ordered the players home.

Togo is still appealing its suspension to the CAS and hearing is scheduled for the spring. If it wins, Togo could be included in a new draw before qualifying starts in September.