Togo manager Nibombé Daré has stood firmly behind his decision to call up veteran midfielder Alaixys Romao for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mauritania and Sudan, describing the 41-year-old as an “irreplaceable leader” ahead of two decisive fixtures.
With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, Togo face Mauritania away on 5 September in Nouadhibou, followed by a home clash against Sudan on 9 September in Lomé.
The Hawks currently sit fourth in Group B with just four points, trailing behind group leaders DR Congo (13 points), and close contenders Senegal and Sudan (12 points each).
Only a maximum haul of six points from the next two matches can revive Togo’s fading hopes of reaching their first World Cup since 2006.
Despite Romao now playing in the French sixth tier with Six-Fours Le Brusc, Daré insists that the midfielder’s wealth of experience and leadership remain vital to the team’s structure and morale.
Speaking at a press conference on 28 August, the coach—who once shared the field with Romao in Togo’s national colours—was emphatic in his support for the former Olympique de Marseille player.
“He brings us a lot with his presence. Twenty years in the national team counts,” Daré said. “His age does not affect his quality of play. On the contrary, his calmness and vision help us manage difficult moments during matches.”
Romao, who has earned 94 caps since his debut in 2005, has featured in five of Togo’s six group matches so far, forming a stabilising midfield trio with Djene Dakonam and Karim Dermane.
While Togo has yet to register a victory in the qualifiers, Romao’s presence has brought a measure of tactical balance, even amid frustrating draws and missed opportunities.
Though now competing at amateur level domestically, Romao’s competitive fire remains undimmed. His recent return to Regional 1 football in France is part of a personal mission to help Six-Fours Le Brusc gain promotion to National 3. That same determination, Daré believes, is exactly what Togo needs to overcome two tactically challenging opponents.
Mauritania, with just two points, held Togo to a 2-2 draw in March and have proven a tough side to break down on home soil. Meanwhile, Sudan, third in the group and known for their organisation and physicality, remain one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
“We’ve analysed their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll do everything we can to put them in difficulty starting 5 September,” Daré noted. “But we need to be more clinical. We create chances—we just have to take them.”
Romao’s role goes beyond his on-pitch contributions. He is expected to mentor rising stars like Kevin Denkey of FC Cincinnati and Ismaily’s Yaw Annor, who are both included in Daré’s squad. The coach hopes the balance of youth and experience will help Togo rediscover the edge required to turn close contests into wins.
“Our issue isn’t the lack of quality,” Daré added. “It’s about efficiency. Scoring early could completely shift the dynamic of the game.”
Togo’s last meeting with Sudan—a 1-1 draw in 2020—highlighted the competitive parity between the sides, but the stakes are now significantly higher. Romao’s leadership and composure in such high-pressure scenarios could prove crucial in guiding the team through its most important week of the qualifying campaign.
Whether Togo can claw their way back into contention remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: for Nibombé Daré, Alaixys Romao remains a vital part of the puzzle.
