Football News
Togo, the explanations for a historic defeat against Algeria
A sad record for the Togolese selection. Togo has not conceded 5 goals for 45 years. The last time was in 1979 in the 1980 CAN qualifiers against Morocco (7-0). If the Eperviers had some strong moments, they were no match for the Fennecs who raised their level of play, especially in the second half.
A totally unbalanced team
Daré Nibombé has work to do. Paulo Duarte, who resigned last June, was able to put together a competitive team. Unfortunately, the technician did not take advantage of it and already wanted to impose his idea of play. Against Algeria, the Togolese team was split in two. The spaces were enormous. Which the Fennecs took advantage of.
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The Togolese team was simply naive. She was easily surprised by the Algerian strategy. Togo coach Daré Nibombé confirmed this in a post-match press conference: “ I didn't understand anything. Algeria waited for the right moment to sanction us. She knew how to unbalance us. We have to forget this match very quickly, and only keep the first half during which we were good. It wasn't all black “, he said.
Very poor offensive animation
13 shots, 4 on target, the Togolese selection could have done better. Sporadically, the Sparrowhawks showed a more or less good face to worry Algeria. And that's it. There was really no follow-up to the ideas.
Currently, Togo has one of the best African strikers. This is Kévin Denkey who has been walking on water since the start of the new season. The Cercle Bruges scorer has 9 goals in 17 appearances in total. Yesterday in Annaba, the 23-year-old attacker was not found in good conditions. It is the lethal weapon of the Hawks. But, the game produced did not allow him to shine. The attacking combinations were rare and insufficient to destabilize the Algerian defense.
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Failure of individualities
If Daré Nibombé was not tactically inspired, most of the Togolese players failed. And logically, they were heavily beaten (5-1) by Algeria.
Goalkeeper Ouro-Gneni Wassiou is the weak point of the Togolese selection. The Dynamo d'Abomey goalkeeper is not exempt from all criticism on the first, second and third goals of the Algerians with risky exits.
Karim Dermane, who should normally be Togo's playmaker, slowed down the Eperviers' game on several occasions. He was involved in the Algerian's equalizing goal, losing the ball which led to Said Benrahma's heavy strike.
The central defense played by captain Djene Dakonam did not live up to the events. Individual errors which cost the Togolese selection this setback.