The Togo national football team, known as the Hawks, did not depart for South Africa as originally scheduled on Monday. Despite the delay, the team received the national flag from Prime Minister Arthème Ahoomey-Zunu in a symbolic ceremony. The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of the flag, stating, “It’s not just a flag, it’s not a piece of fabric, it’s the whole country, all the people that it symbolizes, hold it. Take care, we trust you. The people accompany you, God bless you.”
In the absence of captain Emmanuel Adebayor, his vice, Serge Akakpo, received the Togo flag and expressed the team’s commitment to delivering a strong performance in the upcoming tournament. Akakpo stated, “Our objective is already to pass the first round. The support you give us warms our hearts. We will do our best to meet public expectations.”
Despite the delay and the absence of some players, including captain Adebayor, the team is expected to be complete with the arrival of Kossi Agassa on Tuesday. The football federation assures that the Sparrowhawks will depart for South Africa the following day, indicating that the delay in departure did not impact their overall travel plans. The ceremony with the Prime Minister and the symbolic gesture of receiving the national flag likely served to boost morale and emphasize the nation’s support for the team’s participation in the tournament.
