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Togo national football team

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

The Togo national football team (French: Équipe nationale de football du Togo) represents Togo in international football and is controlled by the Togolese Football Federation. The national football team of Togo made their debut in the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Their team bus underwent a fatal attack in Angola prior to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. They withdrew and were subsequently banned from the following two tournaments by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In 2013 for the first time in history, Togo reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. The team represents both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Togo
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Éperviers
(The Sparrowhawks)
AssociationFédération Togolaise de Football (FTF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachDare Nibombe
CaptainDjené
Most capsAbdoul-Gafar Mamah, Alaixys Romao (93)[1]
Top scorerEmmanuel Adebayor (32)
Home stadiumStade de Kégué
FIFA codeTOG
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 123 Decrease 4 (24 October 2024)[2]
Highest46 (August 2006)
Lowest133 (April 2021)
First international
France 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
Appearances1 (first in 2006)
Best resultGroup stage (2006)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances8 (first in 1972)
Best resultQuarter-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

History

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They made their first FIFA World Cup appearance in their history in 2006, having been coached throughout the qualifying campaign by Stephen Keshi; German coach Otto Pfister managed the team at the finals, despite having resigned three days before their first match over a players' bonuses dispute, only to be persuaded by the players to return. Prior to gaining independence in 1960, the team was known as French Togoland.

2006 World Cup

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Togo lost their opening game of the World Cup, despite having taken the lead against South Korea through a goal by Mohamed Kader. In the second half, Jean-Paul Abalo was sent off after 55 minutes, and goals from Lee Chun-Soo and Ahn Jung-Hwan sealed a 2–1 defeat for Togo.

Togo's next opponents in Group G were Switzerland, with the match scheduled for the afternoon of 19 June. However, the Togo squad and manager Pfister threatened to refuse to fulfill the fixture and take strike action. The squad and manager had been quoted as requesting payments from the Togolese Football Federation for participating in the tournament of around €155,000 (US$192,000) with added bonuses for victories or draws. FIFA negotiated with the squad and manager on 17 June, persuading them to travel to Dortmund in time to fulfill the fixture;[4] goals from Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta resulted in a 2–0 defeat. FIFA subsequently imposed a CHF100,000 fine on the Togolese federation for "behaviour unworthy of a participant in the World Cup."

Togo's final group game against France ended in a 2–0 defeat.

Sierra Leone air disaster

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Main article: 2007 Paramount Airlines helicopter crash

After a 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier away to Sierra Leone on 3 June 2007, 20 members of a delegation of sports officials from Togo, including Togolese Sports Minister Richard Attipoe, were killed when their helicopter exploded and crashed at Lungi International Airport. No players of the Togo national team were among the victims. The Togo players and officials of the team had been waiting to take the next helicopter flight to the island on which the airport is located.

2010 bus ambush and ban

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Main article: Togo national football team attack

On 8 January 2010, the Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen as it travelled to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, killing three and injuring several others. The separatist group Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility for the attack. Goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilalé was reported dead a day after the attack, though he actually survived.[5] Such reports were later dismissed by his club GSI Pontivy in a press announcement, stating the player was actually undergoing surgery in South Africa.[6]

Following the bus ambush attack, the Togolese Football Federation stated that they would withdraw from the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations; despite claims that the team had since reversed the decision and would compete "to show our national colours, our values and that we are men" (as announced by Thomas Dossevi),[7] the government later ordered that the team return home.[8]

Following the team's withdrawal, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Togo from participating in the next two editions of the Cup of Nations and fined them US$50,000 because of the "decision taken by the political authorities".[9][10][11] The CAF executive Committee considered that the Togolese team was in "forfeit notified less than twenty days before the start or during the final competition" (Art. 78 of the Regulations for the Africa Cup of Nations),[9][12] rather than having withdrawn (Art. 80), and refused to consider the circumstances as force majeure (Art. 87). Togo's government immediately said they would sue as CAF "have no consideration for the lives of other human beings" and this is further "insulting to the family of those who lost their lives and those traumatized because of the attack".[10] FIFA has yet to comment on the issue.[10] Togo footballer Thomas Dossevi said, "We are a group of footballers who came under fire and now we can't play football anymore. They are crushing us".[10] Togolese captain Emmanuel Adebayor described the decision as "outrageous" and said that CAF President Issa Hayatou had "completely betrayed" the Togo squad.[13] FIFA subsequently helped lifted their ban entirely.[14]

As a result of the events, Emmanuel Adebayor announced his retirement from international football on 12 April 2010.[15] But on 22 March 2011, Adebayor announced that he was again available for the national team.[16]

Fake Togo Team

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On 7 September 2010, Togo allegedly played Bahrain in a friendly losing the match 3–0. However, on 14 September, the Togo FA claimed that a fake team had played against Bahrain. Togo's Sports Minister Christophe Tchao said to the Jeune Afrique magazine that nobody in Togo had "ever been informed of such a game".[17] On 20 September 2010, it was revealed that former Togo manager Bana Tchanilé was the culprit and the Togo FA have given him a three-year ban in addition to the two-year ban he got in July 2010 for taking Togo players to play a tournament in Egypt.[18] The match fixing has been linked to Wilson Raj Perumal and the Singaporean match-fixing syndicate allegedly run by Tan Seet Eng.[19]

2014 World Cup Qualification

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Togo began qualification for the 2014 World Cup on 11 November 2011, against Guinea-Bissau. They drew in the first leg 1–1. On 15 November 2011, they won the return leg 1–0. On 3 June 2012, they played Libya in Lome and drew 1–1. Shortly after on 10 June they played Congo DR at Kinshasa and lost 2–0. They resumed on 3 March 2013, and played Cameroon in Yaounde and lost 2–1. They met again on 9 June in Lome and Togo won 2–0. In the end, Togo failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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16 November 2026 World Cup qualification Sudan   1–1   Togo Benina, Libya
18:00 UTC+2
  • Eisa   17' (pen.)
 Report
Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium
Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar)
21 November 2026 World Cup qualification Togo   0–0   Senegal Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

2024

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5 January Friendly Togo A'   0–3   Algeria Lomé, Togo
21:00 UTC±0 Report (FAF)
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Raphiou Ligali (Benin)
22 March Friendly Niger   1–2   Togo Mohammedia, Morocco
22:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: El Bachir Stadium
26 March Friendly Togo   1–1   Libya Casablanca, Morocco
22:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
5 June 2026 World Cup qualification Togo   1–1   South Sudan Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
9 June 2026 World Cup qualification DR Congo   1–0   Togo Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)
6 September 2025 AFCON qualification Togo   1–1   Liberia Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
9 September 2025 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea   2–2   Togo Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
17:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)
10 October 2025 AFCON qualification Algeria   5–1   Togo Annaba, Algeria
20:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: 19 May 1956 Stadium
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali)
14 October 2025 AFCON qualification Togo   0–1   Algeria Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0 Report
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala (Congo DR)
25 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Togo   2–0   Benin Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Stade de Kégué
2 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Benin   1-1
(1-3 agg.)		   Togo Abidjan, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Note: Togo won 3–1 on aggregate.
13 November 2025 AFCON qualification Liberia   1-0   Togo Monrovia, Liberia
15:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Attendance: 8,543
Referee: Mohamed Athoumani (Comoros)
18 November 2025 AFCON qualification Togo   3-0   Equatorial Guinea Lomé, Togo
15:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

Coaches

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Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Liberia and Equatorial Guinea on 6 and 9 September 2024.[20]

Caps and goals correct as of 9 September 2024, after the match against Equatorial Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Malcolm Barcola (1999-05-14) 14 May 1999 (age 25) 20 0   Paços de Ferreira
1GK Wassiou Ouro-Gneni (1997-02-14) 14 February 1997 (age 27) 9 0   Dynamo Abomey FC
1GK Geoffrey Agbolossou (2000-02-25) 25 February 2000 (age 24) 2 0   FC Balagne
2DF Djené (1991-12-31) 31 December 1991 (age 32) 78 0   Getafe
2DF Loïc Bessilé (1999-02-19) 19 February 1999 (age 25) 16 0   Dunkerque
2DF Youssifou Atté (1996-05-16) 16 May 1996 (age 28) 13 0   ASEC Mimosas
2DF Mawouna Amevor (1991-12-16) 16 December 1991 (age 32) 10 0   Volendam
2DF Kennedy Boateng (1996-11-29) 29 November 1996 (age 27) 7 0   Dinamo București
2DF Gustave Akueson (1995-12-20) 20 December 1995 (age 28) 4 0   Bastia
2DF Sadik Fofana (2003-05-16) 16 May 2003 (age 21) 2 0   Bayer Leverkusen
2DF Josué Homawoo (1997-11-12) 12 November 1997 (age 27) 1 0   Dinamo București
3MF Alaixys Romao (1984-01-18) 18 January 1984 (age 40) 87 0   Athens Kallithea
3MF Marouf Tchakei (1995-12-15) 15 December 1995 (age 28) 31 3   Singida Fountain Gate
3MF Karim Dermane (2003-12-26) 26 December 2003 (age 20) 16 3   Lommel
3MF Roger Aholou (1993-12-30) 30 December 1993 (age 30) 16 1   Espérance Sportive de Tunis
3MF Thibault Klidjé (2001-07-10) 10 July 2001 (age 23) 12 0   Luzern
3MF Kodjo Aziangbe (2003-12-14) 14 December 2003 (age 20) 9 0   Yokohama F. Marinos
3MF Khaled Narey (1994-07-23) 23 July 1994 (age 30) 6 1   Al-Khaleej
3MF Yawo Agbagno (2000-05-25) 25 May 2000 (age 24) 3 0   ASO Chlef
3MF Adil Titi (1999-08-20) 20 August 1999 (age 25) 1 0   IK Brage
4FW Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (1992-01-27) 27 January 1992 (age 32) 51 20   Al Ain
4FW Kévin Denkey (2000-11-30) 30 November 2000 (age 23) 33 7   Cercle Brugge
4FW Yaw Annor (1997-12-03) 3 December 1997 (age 26) 6 0   National Bank of Egypt
4FW Etienne Amenyido (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26) 3 0   Preußen Münster
4FW Mansour Ouro-Tagba (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 19) 1 0   Jahn Regensburg

Recent call-ups

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The following players have been called up for Togo in the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Steven Mensah (2003-05-22) 22 May 2003 (age 21) 6 0   Hamburger SV II v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
GK Fabrice Kagbatawouli (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21) 0 0   ASC Kara v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
GK Idrissa Ogodjo (1996-03-08) 8 March 1996 (age 28) 0 0   Entente II Lomé v.   Senegal, 21 November 2023
DF Klousseh Agbozo (1994-06-26) 26 June 1994 (age 30) 16 0   Stade Tunisien v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
DF Kévin Boma (2002-11-20) 20 November 2002 (age 22) 2 0   Estoril Praia v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
DF Koffi Benjamin Holete (2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 21) 0 0   ASC Kara v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
DF Ayayi Zonor (1990-04-07) 7 April 1990 (age 34) 1 0   Gomido FC v.   Libya, 26 March 2024
DF Roland Amouzou (1994-12-18) 18 December 1994 (age 29) 6 0   Ashanti Gold v.   Senegal, 21 November 2023
DF Philip Awuku (2000-04-27) 27 April 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Tuzlaspor v.   Senegal, 21 November 2023
MF Samuel Asamoah (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 30) 5 0   Qingdao Red Lions v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
MF Dikeni Salifou (2003-06-08) 8 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Austria Klagenfurt v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
MF Soulemane Ouro-Gafo (1997-12-31) 31 December 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Gomido v.   Senegal, 21 November 2023
FW Ihlas Bebou (1994-04-23) 23 April 1994 (age 30) 37 1   1899 Hoffenheim v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
FW Abdou Ouattara (1995-04-06) 6 April 1995 (age 29) 6 1   Defence Force v.   DR Congo, 9 June 2024
FW Euloge Placca Fessou (1994-12-31) 31 December 1994 (age 29) 32 8   Jeonnam Dragons v.   Libya, 26 March 2024
FW David Henen (1996-04-19) 19 April 1996 (age 28) 19 1   Tobol v.   Libya, 26 March 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.

Records

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As of 17 November 2024[21]
Players in bold are still active with Togo.

Most appearances

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Abdoul-Gafar Mamah is Togo's joint most capped player with 93 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Abdoul-Gafar Mamah 93 0 2000–2016
Alaixys Romao 93 0 2005–present
3 Emmanuel Adebayor 88 32 2000–2019
4 Kossi Agassa 84 0 1998–2017
Djené Dakonam 84 0 2012–present
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
Mohamed Kader 61 13 1995–2009

Top goalscorers

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Emmanuel Adebayor is Togo's top scorer with 32 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Emmanuel Adebayor (list) 32 88 0.36 2000–2019
2 Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba 20 52 0.38 2016–present
3 Kossi Noutsoudje 13 40 0.33 1994–2002
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 Euloge Placca Fessou 9 36 0.25 2012–present
Adékambi Olufadé 9 41 0.22 1998–2010
9 Kévin Denkey 8 37 0.22 2018–present
Moustapha Salifou 8 77 0.1 2000–2013

Competition records

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FIFA World Cup

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See also: Togo at the FIFA World Cup
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
  1974 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 4
  1978 4 1 1 2 3 5
  1982 2 1 0 1 2 2
  1986 Withdrew Withdrew
  1990
  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 4 0 3 1 2 3
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total Group stage 1/15 3 0 0 3 1 6 — 74 24 18 32 78 96
2006 FIFA World Cup starting lineup

Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
  1957 Part of   France
  1959
  1962 Not affiliated to CAF
  1963
  1965 Did not enter
  1968 Did not qualify
  1970
  1972 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 4 6 Squad
  1974 Withdrew
  1976 Did not qualify
  1978
  1980
  1982
  1984 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 1 7 Squad
  1986 Did not qualify
  1988
  1990 Withdrew
  1992 Did not qualify
  1994 Withdrew during qualifying
  1996 Did not qualify
  1998 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 4 6 Squad
    2000 10th 3 1 1 1 2 3 Squad
  2002 12th 3 0 2 1 0 3 Squad
  2004 Did not qualify
  2006 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 2 7 Squad
  2008 Did not qualify
  2010 Withdrew due to rebel attack
    2012 Did not qualify
  2013 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 4 4 Squad
  2015 Did not qualify
  2017 Group stage 16th 3 0 1 2 2 6 Squad
  2019 Did not qualify
  2021
  2023
  2025
      2027 To be determined
  2029
Total Quarter-finals 8/34 25 3 8 14 19 42 —

African Nations Championship

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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
Total Group stage 1/7 3 1 0 2 4 5

African Games

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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

Honours

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Regional

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References

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  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Abdoul-Gafar Mamah - International Appearances". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Sky Sports | Football News". Home.skysports.com. Archived from the original on 2007-01-25. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
  5. ^ "African Cup of Nations — NoConfusion over Togo death toll". Reuters. 2010-01-09. Archived from the original on 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  6. ^ "Kodjovi Obilalé n'est pas décédé des suites de ses blessures (Agence AFP)" (in French). Archived from the original on 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  7. ^ Nick Reeves (2010-01-10). "Togo in dramatic African Nations Cup u-turn". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  8. ^ "Togo officially disqualified from Africa Cup of Nations". BBC Sport. BBC. 2010-01-11. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  9. ^ a b "Togo's withdrawal". Confederation of African Football. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d "Togo banned from next two Africa Cups of Nations". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Togo suspended for next two Africa Nations Cup". Xinhua. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  12. ^ Regulations of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (PDF). Confederation of African Football. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010.
  13. ^ "Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor slams 'outrageous' ban". BBC Sport. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  14. ^ "FIFA boss helps lift African Cup ban on Togo". France 24. 2010-05-08. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  15. ^ Taylor, Daniel (2010-04-12). "Emmanuel Adebayor retires from international football after bus attack". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  16. ^ "Adebayor returns for Togo | Football News". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  17. ^ "'Fake' Togo football team at Bahrain match being investigated". BBC News. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Fake mastermind behind fake Togo team revealed!". Yahoo. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010.
  19. ^ Buncombe, Andrew (29 March 2013). "Dan Tan: the man who fixed football". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-21. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Final Squad". Facebook. Fédération Togolaise de Football.
  21. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Togo - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
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