The Togolese national football team, known as the Eperviers, faced a 0-3 defeat against the formidable Algerian squad led by the skilled Ramy Bensebaini. Despite the setback, Togo A’ coach, Coubadja Kader, maintained a focus on fair play and sportsmanship, urging his team to refrain from causing harm to their Algerian counterparts.
Former Togolese international, Kader Coubadja, who embarked on his coaching career with this encounter, expressed a sense of idealism in his expectations for the match, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct on the field.
The Algerian team exhibited prowess and secured victory, but Kader remained steadfast in emphasizing the significance of fair play.
During the post-match press conference on Friday, Coach Kader provided insights into the game, acknowledging technical lapses and fatigue within his team.
He revealed, “In the content, there was technical waste, with fatigue. I told my players that we have two games to play.
I told them not to hurt any Algerian players. They are going to play the AFCON.”
Kader’s commitment to promoting a spirit of sportsmanship was evident in his reflections on the match.
He expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of his team, stating, “I’m happy with the match, if they did exactly what we said we should draw.
But, my players did not know how to handle set plays.”
As both teams continue their rigorous preparations for the upcoming AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast, Kader Coubadja’s advocacy for fair play amid competitive football underscores the broader ideals of sportsmanship that transcend the outcome of a single match.
