of a referee The 2013 AFCON in South Africa had its share of controversies, and one notable incident involved the Togo national team. Togo, led by coach Didier Six, faced challenges on and off the field during the tournament. Here are some key points about Togo’s journey at the 2013 AFCON:
- Controversial Participation: Before the tournament, there was uncertainty about Togo’s participation. Captain Emmanuel Adebayor raised concerns about the lack of organization, and goalkeeper Agassa Kossi echoed these sentiments. Eventually, President Faure Gnassingbé intervened to ensure Togo’s participation.
- Quarterfinal Elimination: Togo made history by qualifying for the quarterfinals for the first time in its AFCON history. However, the journey ended there as they faced Burkina Faso and were eliminated. This led to dissatisfaction among players, with Adebayor and Agassa questioning the coaching staff.
- Internal Disputes: Assistant coach Tchanilé Tchakala publicly criticized head coach Didier Six, accusing him of burdening the team. Tensions rose, leading to the resignation of the team’s physical trainer, Alain Happe.
- Didier Six’s Response: Didier Six defended himself in the media, attributing the team’s failure to some players’ sense of sufficiency. He expressed a desire to continue coaching Togo despite the challenges.
- Historic Qualification: Despite the internal issues, Togo’s qualification for the quarterfinals was a significant achievement. They secured second place in a challenging group, including a draw against Tunisia.
- Federation Controversy: The Togolese Football Federation (FFT) faced controversy when its first vice-president, Hervé Piza, protested against perceived unfair arbitration. Piza’s actions led to a brief questioning by the South African police.
- Adebayor’s First AFCON Goal: Emmanuel Adebayor scored his first-ever goal in the AFCON during the 2013 tournament. The goal came in a match against Algeria, marking a personal milestone for the star striker.
- Referee Whistle Controversy: The tournament also saw controversy related to the referees. Vice-president Hervé Piza claimed that he protested against poor officiating, preventing a team official from entering the pitch. This incident added to the overall drama of Togo’s AFCON campaign.
Despite the challenges and controversies, Togo’s journey in the 2013 AFCON left an indelible mark in the country’s football history.
