AFCON 2025 (Q): Togo Still Struggling with Elimination

AFCON 05 March 2025 at 03:22

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AFCON 2025 (Q): Togo Still Struggling with Elimination

Togo, eliminated from the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, is struggling to move on. In an exclusive interview with ftftogo.com, the Sparrowhawks Manager, Serge Akakpo, expressed his deep disillusionment over this painful elimination.

The Togo national team will not participate in the upcoming edition of the African Cup of Nations. On November 13, 2024, in Monrovia, the Sparrowhawks were knocked out during the qualifiers after a 1-0 defeat to Liberia. This match, on the last day of the qualifiers, was marked by palpable intensity. Despite offensive efforts, Daré Nibombé's men failed to capitalize on their chances.

With only 5 points accumulated over 6 matchdays, the Sparrowhawks finished 3rd in Group E behind Algeria and Equatorial Guinea. This elimination marks Togo's fourth consecutive absence from the AFCON. Togolese fans, players, and the Sparrowhawks Manager still have a bitter taste of this failure in their mouths.

"It has been very difficult for me; I withdrew into myself a bit, my state of mind was even comparable to a mild depression. What sticks in my throat the most is the fact that we only took one point against Liberia in two matches. For me, it's a mystery... Sure, there are no longer any small teams on the continent, but with the squad we have, I find it abnormal.
To be honest, I haven't fully digested the elimination yet. By nature, I am a very sore loser, I hate losing, and that's what defines me, characterizes me, and allows me to surpass myself.
Sure, on one hand, I tell myself that this episode will strengthen our ability to turn a trial into a starting point for improvement. But ultimately, this qualification was within our reach in many ways, given the work done over 3 years, but alas..." confided Serge Akakpo.