JCA target Togo top-flight promotion after impressive D2 campaign

The Jeunesse Club d’Agoe (JCA) are preparing for the second phase of the Togo national D2 championship with promotion to the first division firmly in their sights.

The Lome-based club finished top of the regular-season standings in the southern zone, exceeding expectations to secure a place in the play-offs. They now want to turn that achievement into a place among Togo’s elite.

As part of their preparations, JCA played a friendly against Haut Niveau on Friday. The opposition was a selection of players competing in Togo’s D1, and JCA lost 2-1.

The match was primarily intended to keep Haure Tchalim’s players in competitive condition after almost two weeks without an official fixture.

JCA rewarded for progress

Tchalim believes the club’s first phase was a significant success, particularly because JCA were not widely expected to challenge at the top of the southern zone.

“It is a positive assessment, because nobody had backed JCA. Last year, we were very close to playing in the play-offs, but this year our work has taken shape,” the coach said.

He attributed the team’s progress to its style of play, discipline and collective mentality. However, he acknowledged that improvements are still required at both ends of the pitch.

“When you look at the ratio of goals scored and goals conceded, we will have to work on finishing our chances and avoid conceding too many,” he added.

Promotion the clear objective

Qualifying for the play-offs has not reduced JCA’s ambition. Tchalim now openly expects his side to compete for promotion to the first division.

“Appetite comes with eating. Today, it would not be normal to finish first in the southern zone and not go to the first division. That is our objective,” he said.

The coach accepts that achieving that goal will demand a higher level of performance, with JCA needing to overcome the strongest teams in the competition.

“If you want to sit at the table with the greats, you have to beat the greats. If we want to get there, we will have to be capable of beating everyone.”

Tchalim also said he was not concerned by the pressure surrounding the club’s promotion bid. Instead, he believes the expectations could help JCA develop.

“JCA is a little bit like Marseille in France. Every weekend, everyone comes to see their child shine and win matches. Often, it is pressure and challenges that make great teams and great coaches grow,” he said.

Tchalim apologises to Anie community

Before turning his full attention to the play-offs, Tchalim also addressed the controversy surrounding JCA’s match against Abou-Osse d’Anie.

The coach acknowledged comments made in connection with that fixture and apologised to the community of Anie.

“This is also an opportunity to ask forgiveness from the entire community of Anie. We are football people. Tomorrow, I could be coaching Abou-Osse,” he said.

JCA will now seek to build on their first-place finish and complete their campaign with promotion to the first division.