In Togo, the lack of preparation was pushed to its limits during the clash between Ivory Coast and Togo in Group D on Tuesday. At the outset, Eperviers supporters were notably absent during the initial minutes of the game. This absence became particularly apparent when the stadium announcer introduced the players. While the well-organized and well-dressed Elephants’ supporters accompanied the announcement of their players with spirited cheers of “olé,” the Togo supporters had not yet taken their seats at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
Eventually, they managed to join and witness the kickoff, but they were scattered in dispersed rows, as some had not yet gathered in the group. According to our information, Gabriel Améyi, the president of the Togolese Football Federation (FTF), was responsible for the delay in bringing back the tickets for the supporter group. The battle in the stands was already fiercely dominated by the Ivorians, with nearly 500 of them present in South Africa, while the 80 selected supporters from Togo had not all arrived.
Despite the challenges, Maman Togo and her group managed to make their voices heard throughout the game. However, their efforts were not enough to secure a victory for the Sparrowhawks.
