The president of the Togolese Football Federation (FTF), Gabriel Ameyi, paid a visit to the Togo Eperviers on Thursday morning at the Kégué stadium. This visit took place as Didier Six and his squad were preparing to face the Gabon Panthers on September 8 in the first leg of the final round of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for the 2013 tournament in South Africa.
Fresh from his participation in the CAF General Assembly in Seychelles, President Gabriel Ameyi attended the Eperviers’ training session to boost the morale of the players. He expressed confidence in their efforts, stating, “We are at the end of the tunnel. I feel confident about what I have just seen on the pitch. You have already given a lot, we have given a lot, I invite you all to go like fighters, patriots so that you return with victory.”
Addressing the players further, the FTF president emphasized that, akin to the sporting public, “the head of state and the entire government are behind you.” While expressing hope for qualification to be celebrated in front of the Lomé public, he acknowledged the challenge ahead. “We need to secure a very good score in Gabon, and when we return, we will manage to obtain qualification. We must be in South Africa,” he concluded.
During this training session, the Togo team saw the full participation of key players like Emmanuel Adebayor Sheyi, Jacques Alaixys Romao, and Gafar Mamah, who rejoined the group. However, there were notable absences, including goalkeeper Agassa Kossi, who plays for Reims. His club teammates Floyd Ayité and Wolverhampton player Razak Boukari were sidelined due to injuries.
