Togo’s Hawks Depart for Crucial AFCON Qualifier Against Guinea
Togo’s national football team, the Hawks, departed Lomé on Thursday aboard the presidential plane en route to Casablanca, where they will face Guinea in a key Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Led by captain Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, the squad has been training under the guidance of coach Tchanilé Tchakala and is determined to make a strong start to their qualifying campaign.
“We answered the call. Now we’re here to play for the country and defend the nation’s colours,” said Adebayor ahead of the match. “We’ll do everything we can to ensure this is good preparation for the AFCON. As you know, we’re here to win.”
The former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that Togo will face strong opposition not just from Guinea, but also from Ghana in their next fixture in Lomé.
“It’s going to be tough—we’re playing against Guinea and then Ghana at home. But I think, along with our teammates, we’re all ready. We’ll try to give our best and we’ll see what happens,” he added.
The match, set to take place on Friday evening at 19:00 GMT, will be held in Casablanca instead of Conakry due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Guinea. This relocation is part of broader safety measures put in place across several countries during the qualifiers.
Both national broadcasters—Guinea’s RTG and Togo’s TVT—will air the match live, allowing fans back home to follow their team’s progress despite the match being played on neutral ground.
The Hawks are seeking a return to form on the continental stage after a challenging period in international competitions. Adebayor’s return to the national team setup is seen as a potential morale boost, bringing experience and leadership to a relatively youthful squad.
Meanwhile, Guinea’s Syli National will also be eager to make a statement in the qualifiers, particularly as they are forced to play away from home due to health safety protocols. The game is expected to be tightly contested, with both sides eyeing a strong start in the race for qualification to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
