Togo’s African Nations Cup preparations have been hit by a row over bonus money.

The national squad was supposed to fly to Egypt on Tuesday night but the team never got off the ground as they wrangled with the federation over money.

The players are seeking a bonus of around $40,000 per person and say they will not get on the plane until this demand has been met.

“They were asking for the money for qualifying for the African Cup of Nations as some kind of morale booster,” Togo coach Stephen Keshi told BBC Sport.

“I hope the federation and the government can bail me out. I know they are really trying their best to make the boys happy.

“This is out of my hand – they just have to sort it out themselves.”

The coach admitted it had affected his team’s warm-up for Egypt 2006.

“The bonus crisis has affected the focus of my players for the past two days,” he explained.

“I think the authorities can handle the situation and let the players fly out for Egypt at least by Wednesday evening.”

Togo are scheduled to open their Group B campaign against DR Congo in Cairo on Saturday.

Subscribe to World Soccer – The essential football magazine