Togo Under-17s Secure Place in Final Round of 2015 AFCON Qualifiers
Togo’s under-17 team, the Young Eperviers, have booked their spot in the final round of qualifiers for the 2015 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Senegal in the second leg of their clash at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour.
After a goalless stalemate in the first leg two weeks earlier in Lomé, the second match saw the Young Eperviers face a hostile Senegalese side determined to overturn the tie in front of their home crowd. Despite being physically challenged and dominated for long periods, the Togolese side demonstrated tactical discipline and resilience.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when striker Agaboa Yayeri capitalised on a defensive clearance to surge forward and beat Senegalese goalkeeper Lamine Sarr, giving Togo the crucial away goal.
Buoyed by the lead, the Young Eperviers stifled Senegal’s attacking efforts, frustrating the hosts and limiting their chances. However, Senegal responded in the 80th minute with a stunning equaliser from a direct free kick expertly converted by Ousseynou Ndiaye.
With ten minutes remaining, Togo’s coach Kodjo Kegbalo made astute tactical adjustments, reshuffling his squad to maintain defensive solidity and control the game’s tempo. Despite five minutes of added time, the score remained 1-1, enough for Togo to advance on aggregate.
Reflecting on the result, Senegal coach Louis Dominique Coly expressed his frustration: “It’s disappointing because Senegal dominated in both the first and second legs. But dominating without scoring doesn’t mean anything at all.”
Kegbalo, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of results over style, stating: “A match is not played, it is won.”
With this qualification, Togo’s under-17s will now prepare for the final round of AFCON qualifiers, set to take place in Niger. The Young Eperviers will hope to build on this achievement and secure their place at the continental tournament.
