Togo national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Togo women's national football team.

Quick facts for kids
Togo

Nickname(s)

Les Éperviers
(The Sparrowhawks)

Association

Fédération Togolaise de Football (FTF)

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

WAFU (West Africa)

Head coach

Daré Nibombé

Captain

Djené

Most caps

Alaixys Romao (94)

Top scorer

Emmanuel Adebayor (32)

Home stadium

Stade de Kégué

FIFA code

TOG

First colours

Second colours

FIFA ranking

Current

122

1 (7 February 2019)

Highest

46 (August 2006)

Lowest

136 (April 2021)

Elo ranking

Current

114

3 (3 March 2019)

Highest

56 (November 2005, January 2006)

Lowest

128 (4 September 1994)

First international

French Togoland 1–1 Gold Coast and Trans-Volta Togoland

(French Togoland; 13 October 1956)

Biggest win

Togo 6–0 Swaziland

(Accra, Ghana; 11 November 2008)

Togo 6–0 Mauritius

(Lomé, Togo; 12 November 2017)

Biggest defeat

Morocco 7–0 Togo

(Morocco; 28 October 1979)

Tunisia 7–0 Togo

(Tunis, Tunisia; 7 January 2000)

World Cup

Appearances

1 (first in 2006)

Best result

Group stage (2006)

Africa Cup of Nations

Appearances

8 (first in 1972)

Best result

Quarter-finals (2013)

Members of the Togolese national football team before a warm-up match in Biberach/Riss a few days before the 2006 World Cup

The Togo national football team (in French: Équipe nationale de football du Togo) represents the country of Togo in international football games. The team is controlled by the Togolese Football Federation. They are known as Les Éperviers, which means "The Sparrowhawks."

The Togo national football team played in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2006. In 2010, their team bus was attacked before the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. This led to them leaving the tournament. Later, they were not allowed to play in the next two tournaments by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In 2013, Togo reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever. The team is part of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Team History

Togo's national team was known as French Togoland before Togo became an independent country in 1960. They made their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Stephen Keshi was their coach during the qualifying games. However, German coach Otto Pfister led the team at the World Cup finals. He almost quit just before their first match due to a disagreement over player bonuses, but the players convinced him to stay.

Playing in the 2006 World Cup

Togo played their first World Cup game against South Korea. They scored first with a goal from Mohamed Kader. But in the second half, Jean-Paul Abalo was sent off. South Korea then scored two goals, and Togo lost 2–1.

Their next game was against Switzerland. Before this match, the Togo team and coach Pfister considered not playing. They were asking for payments from the Togolese Football Federation. FIFA stepped in and helped solve the issue. Togo played the game but lost 2–0 to Switzerland. FIFA later fined the Togolese federation for their actions.

Togo's final group game was against France, which they lost 2–0.

Sierra Leone Air Accident

On June 3, 2007, after a game in Sierra Leone, 20 sports officials from Togo were killed. Their helicopter crashed at Lungi International Airport. No players from the Togo national team were on that helicopter. The team players and other officials were waiting for the next flight.

Bus Attack and Tournament Ban in 2010

On January 8, 2010, the Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen. This happened as they were traveling to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Three people were killed, and several others were injured. A group called FLEC said they were responsible for the attack.

After the attack, the Togolese Football Federation decided to pull out of the tournament. Even though some players wanted to keep playing, the government ordered the team to return home.

Because the team withdrew, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Togo from playing in the next two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. They also fined the team US$50,000. CAF said that Togo had forfeited, meaning they left the competition too close to the start. Togo's government said they would sue CAF, calling the decision "insulting." Togo player Thomas Dossevi said it was unfair that they couldn't play after being attacked. The team captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, called the decision "outrageous." Later, FIFA helped to lift the ban.

After these events, Emmanuel Adebayor announced he was leaving international football in April 2010. However, he returned to play for the national team in March 2011.

Fake Togo Team Incident

In September 2010, a team claiming to be Togo played a friendly match against Bahrain and lost 3–0. However, the Togo Football Association later said that a fake team had played the game. Togo's Sports Minister said that no one in Togo knew about such a match. It was found that a former Togo manager, Bana Tchanilé, was involved. He received a three-year ban for this incident. This fake match was linked to a scam involving match-fixing.

2014 World Cup Qualifiers

Togo started their journey to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in November 2011. They played against Guinea-Bissau, drawing 1–1 in the first game and winning 1–0 in the second. They had mixed results in other matches, including draws and losses against teams like Libya and Congo DR. They also played Cameroon twice, losing one game and winning the other. In the end, Togo did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Recent Matches

This section shows how the Togo national team has performed in their recent games.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

Matches in 2024

March 22: Niger 1–2 Togo (Friendly) - Win
March 26: Togo 1–1 Libya (Friendly) - Draw
June 5: Togo 1–1 South Sudan (2026 World Cup qualification) - Draw
June 9: DR Congo 1–0 Togo (2026 World Cup qualification) - Loss
September 6: Togo 1–1 Liberia (2025 AFCON qualification) - Draw
September 9: Equatorial Guinea 2–2 Togo (2025 AFCON qualification) - Draw
October 10: Algeria 5–1 Togo (2025 AFCON qualification) - Loss
October 14: Togo 0–1 Algeria (2025 AFCON qualification) - Loss
October 25: Togo 2–0 Benin (2024 African Nations Championship qualification) - Win
November 2: Benin 1–1 Togo (2024 African Nations Championship qualification) - Draw (Togo won 3–1 on aggregate)
November 13: Liberia 1–0 Togo (2025 AFCON qualification) - Loss
November 18: Togo 3–0 Equatorial Guinea (2025 AFCON qualification) - Win

Upcoming Matches in 2025

March 22: Togo 2–2 Mauritania (2026 World Cup qualification) - Draw
March 25: Senegal 2–0 Togo (2026 World Cup qualification) - Loss
September: Mauritania vs. Togo (2026 World Cup qualification)
September: Togo vs. Sudan (2026 World Cup qualification)
October: Togo vs. DR Congo (2026 World Cup qualification)
October: South Sudan vs. Togo (2026 World Cup qualification)

Team Coaches

Claude Le Roy was the manager of Togo from 2016 to 2021.

Many coaches have led the Togo national football team over the years. Some have been from Togo, while others have come from different countries.

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) coached the team multiple times.
Otto Pfister (Germany) led them in the 2006 World Cup.
Currently, Dare Nibombe (Togo) is the coach.

Team Players

Current Squad

These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in March 2025. Player information is correct as of March 25, 2025, after the match against Senegal.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Malcolm Barcola	(1999-05-14) 14 May 1999 (age 26)	25	0	Paços de Ferreira
1GK	Youssouf Morou	(2000-12-31) 31 December 2000 (age 24)	1	0	Gomido
1GK	Achirafou Yaya	(2004-07-26) 26 July 2004 (age 21)	0	0	LYS Sassandra

2DF	Djené	(1991-12-31) 31 December 1991 (age 33)	86	0	Getafe
2DF	Youssifou Atté	(1996-05-16) 16 May 1996 (age 29)	19	0	ASEC Mimosas
2DF	Mawouna Amevor	(1991-12-16) 16 December 1991 (age 33)	13	0	Volendam
2DF	Kennedy Boateng	(1996-11-29) 29 November 1996 (age 28)	12	0	Dinamo București
2DF	Kévin Boma	(2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 (age 22)	6	0	Estoril Praia
2DF	Sadik Fofana	(2003-05-16) 16 May 2003 (age 22)	5	0	Grazer AK
2DF	Josué Homawoo	(1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 27)	3	0	Dinamo București
2DF	Amoudane Ouro-Ayeva	(1997-04-29) 29 April 1997 (age 28)	0	0	ASC Kara

3MF	Alaixys Romao	(1984-01-18) 18 January 1984 (age 41)	94	0	Ionikos
3MF	Karim Dermane	(2003-12-26) 26 December 2003 (age 21)	23	3	Lommel
3MF	Abdoul-Sabourh Bode	(1995-01-22) 22 January 1995 (age 30)	12	0	ASC Kara
3MF	Yawo Agbagno	(2000-05-25) 25 May 2000 (age 25)	10	1	ASO Chlef
3MF	Samsondin Ouro	(2000-03-02) 2 March 2000 (age 25)	7	0	Győri ETO
3MF	Jules Aziamale	(1999-04-08) 8 April 1999 (age 26)	1	0	CDF Haknour Bafilo
3MF	Dikeni Salifou	(2003-06-08) 8 June 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Austria Klagenfurt

4FW	Kévin Denkey	(2000-11-30) 30 November 2000 (age 24)	40	10	Cincinnati
4FW	Yaw Annor	(1997-12-03) 3 December 1997 (age 27)	10	2	National Bank of Egypt
4FW	Thibault Klidjé	(2001-07-10) 10 July 2001 (age 24)	18	2	Hibernian
4FW	Franck Mawuena	(1992-11-21) 21 November 1992 (age 32)	8	0	Remo Stars
4FW	Etienne Amenyido	(1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 27)	4	0	Preußen Münster
4FW	Kokou Avotor	(2001-11-17) 17 November 2001 (age 23)	4	1	AS OTR Lomé
4FW	Bassitou Madougou	Unknown	0	0	AS Binah

Players Called Up Recently

These players have been called to play for Togo in the last year.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Wassiou Ouro-Gneni	(1997-02-14) 14 February 1997 (age 28)	10	0	Dynamo Abomey FC	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
GK	Geoffrey Agbolossou	(2000-02-25) 25 February 2000 (age 25)	2	0	FC Balagne	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
GK	Steven Mensah	(2003-05-22) 22 May 2003 (age 22)	6	0	Hamburger SV II	v. DR Congo, 9 June 2024
GK	Fabrice Kagbatawouli	(2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 22)	0	0	ASC Kara	v. DR Congo, 9 June 2024

DF	Gustave Akueson	(1995-12-20) 20 December 1995 (age 29)	5	0	Bastia	v. Equatorial Guinea, 18 November 2024
DF	Koffi Benjamin Holete	(2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 22)	0	0	ASC Kara	v. Equatorial Guinea, 18 November 2024
DF	Klousseh Agbozo	(1994-06-26) 26 June 1994 (age 31)	16	0	Stade Tunisien	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
DF	Loïc Bessilé	(1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 (age 26)	17	0	Dunkerque	v. Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024

MF	Roger Aholou	(1993-12-30) 30 December 1993 (age 31)	20	1	Espérance Sportive de Tunis	v. Equatorial Guinea, 18 November 2024
MF	Kodjo Aziangbe	(2003-12-14) 14 December 2003 (age 21)	14	0	Yokohama F. Marinos	v. Equatorial Guinea, 18 November 2024
MF	Marouf Tchakei	(1995-12-15) 15 December 1995 (age 29)	33	3	Singida Fountain Gate	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
MF	Khaled Narey	(1994-07-23) 23 July 1994 (age 31)	8	1	Al-Khaleej	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
MF	Adil Titi	(1999-08-20) 20 August 1999 (age 26)	1	0	IK Brage	v. Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Samuel Asamoah	(1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 31)	5	0	Guangxi Pingguo	v. DR Congo, 9 June 2024

FW	Euloge Placca Fessou	(1994-12-31) 31 December 1994 (age 30)	36	9	Jeonnam Dragons	v. Equatorial Guinea, 18 November 2024
FW	Abdou Ouattara	(1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 (age 30)	6	1	Defence Force	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
FW	Mansour Ouro-Tagba	(2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 20)	4	0	Jahn Regensburg	v. Algeria, 14 October 2024
FW	Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba	(1992-01-27) 27 January 1992 (age 33)	53	20	Al Ain	v. Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
FW	Ihlas Bebou	(1994-04-23) 23 April 1994 (age 31)	37	1	1899 Hoffenheim	v. DR Congo, 9 June 2024
^DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. ^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. ^PRE Preliminary squad. ^RET Player has retired from international football. ^SUS Suspended from the national team.

Team Records

Most Games Played

Alaixys Romao has played the most games for Togo, with 94 appearances.

The players listed below have played the most games for the Togo national team. Players in bold are still active with the team.

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Alaixys Romao	94	0	2005–present
2	Abdoul-Gafar Mamah	93	0	2000–2016
3	Emmanuel Adebayor	88	32	2000–2019
4	Djené Dakonam	86	0	2012–present
5	Kossi Agassa	84	0	1998–2017
6	Moustapha Salifou	77	8	2000–2013
7	Jean-Paul Abalo	74	1	1992–2008
8	Komlan Améwou	69	5	2000–2015
9	Tadjou Salou	62	12	1992–2004
10	Serge Akakpo	61	2	2008–2017
10	Mohamed Kader	61	13	1995–2009

Top Goal Scorers

Emmanuel Adebayor is Togo's top scorer with 32 goals.

These players have scored the most goals for the Togo national team. Players in bold are still active with the team.

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Emmanuel Adebayor (list)	32	88	0.36	2000–2019
2	Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba	20	53	0.38	2016–present
3	Kossi Noutsoudje	13	40	0.33	1994–2002
3	Mohamed Kader	13	61	0.21	1995–2009
5	Tadjou Salou	12	62	0.19	1992–2004
6	Floyd Ayité	11	48	0.23	2007–2022
7	Kévin Denkey	10	40	0.25	2018–present
8	Euloge Placca Fessou	9	36	0.25	2012–present
8	Adékambi Olufadé	9	41	0.22	1998–2010
10	Moustapha Salifou	8	77	0.1	2000–2013

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup Appearances

Togo has played in the FIFA World Cup once. This was in 2006.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1958	Part of France									Part of France
1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966	Did not enter									Did not enter
1970	Did not enter									Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	0	4
1978										4	1	1	2	3	5
1982										2	1	0	1	2	2
1986	Withdrew									Withdrew
1990	Withdrew									Withdrew
1994	Did not qualify									5	0	0	5	2	11
1998										8	2	2	4	9	16
2002										10	3	4	3	13	13
2006	Group stage	30th	3	0	0	3	1	6	Squad	12	8	2	2	22	9
2010	Did not qualify									10	4	2	4	11	10
2014										8	2	2	4	6	12
2018										2	0	0	2	0	4
2022										8	3	3	2	8	7
2026	To be determined									6	0	4	2	4	7
2030										To be determined
2034										To be determined
Total	Group stage	1/15	3	0	0	3	1	6	—	77	24	21	32	80	100

Agassa

Abalo (c)

Nibombé

Tchangai

Amevou

Romao

Sènaya

Salifou

Kader

Adebayor

Touré

2006 FIFA World Cup starting lineup

Africa Cup of Nations Appearances

Togo has played in the Africa Cup of Nations several times. Their best result was reaching the quarter-finals in 2013.

Africa Cup of Nations record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of France									Part of France
1959	Part of France									Part of France
1962	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1963	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1965	Did not enter									Did not enter
1968	Did not qualify									4	1	0	3	3	9
1970	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	1	5
1972	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	4	6	Squad	4	2	2	0	3	1
1974	Withdrew									Withdrew
1976	Did not qualify									6	3	0	3	9	7
1978										2	1	0	1	1	2
1980										4	3	0	1	3	9
1982										2	0	1	1	2	6
1984	Group stage	8th	3	0	1	2	1	7	Squad	8	8	0	0	11	2
1986	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	1	2
1988	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	1	3
1990	Withdrew									Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify									8	2	2	4	4	9
1994	Withdrew during qualifying									Withdrew
1996	Did not qualify									8	1	3	4	5	10
1998	Group stage	12th	3	1	0	2	4	6	Squad	8	4	2	2	10	5
2000		10th	3	1	1	1	2	3	Squad	6	3	1	2	12	6
2002		12th	3	0	2	1	0	3	Squad	6	3	2	1	8	6
2004	Did not qualify									6	3	1	2	9	7
2006	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	2	7	Squad	12	9	1	2	22	4
2008	Did not qualify									6	3	0	3	9	7
2010	Withdrew due to rebel attack									Withdrew
2012	Did not qualify									8	1	3	4	6	10
2013	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	4	4	Squad	4	1	1	2	5	3
2015	Did not qualify									6	2	0	4	7	12
2017	Group stage	16th	3	0	1	2	2	6	Squad	6	3	2	1	11	4
2019	Did not qualify									6	1	2	3	4	8
2021										6	0	2	4	3	8
2023										6	2	2	2	8	8
2025										6	1	2	3	7	10
2027	To be determined									To be determined
2029	To be determined									To be determined
Total	Quarter-finals	8/35	25	3	8	14	19	42	—	144	57	32	55	165	163

African Nations Championship Appearances

Togo has played in the African Nations Championship once, reaching the group stage in 2020.

African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 1
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2009	Did not qualify
2011
2014
2016
2018
2020	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	4	5
2022	Did not qualify
2024	Did not qualify
Total	Group stage	1/8	3	1	0	2	4	5

African Games Appearances

Togo has played in the African Games once, in 1965.

African Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	Group stage	3	1	1	1	5	9
1987	Did not qualify
Total	1/4	3	1	1	1	5	9

Team Achievements

Togo has achieved some success in regional football tournaments.

Regional Titles

West African Nations Cup
- Runners-up (4 times): 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
WAFU Nations Cup
- Third place (1 time): 2013