French tactician Patrice Neveu to lead Togo’s Hawks back to the Top
On Monday, March 2, the Togolese Football Federation (FTF) officially signed a three-year contract with Patrice Neveu, the new head coach of the national team, the Eperviers.
“The signing of the contract for the new head coach of the Eperviers is not merely a formality; it marks the rebirth of an ambition, a new beginning for Togolese soccer,” said Colonel Guy Akpovy, president of the Togolese Football Federation (FTF), at the signing ceremony.
“By entrusting you with the reins of the Togo national team, we are not merely handing you a team, but the dream of an entire nation. Your expertise and your rigor will be the pillars on which you will rely to revitalize Togolese soccer. Establish our playing identity, instill exemplary discipline, and above all, restore our fans’ pride in seeing their flag shine on the continental and international stage,” he told the new coach.
Patrice Neveu, 71, who has previously worked in Gabon, Mauritania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, immediately called for “time, patience, and unity around the Eperviers” to succeed in his mission. He intends to rely on core values in his work—namely rigor, discipline, humility, and ambition—against a backdrop of strong collaboration with the Togolese government and the FTF.
Guinea and Niger to kick off his tenure!
Patrice Neveu’s journey with Togo begins this March with two friendly matches in Morocco during the FIFA international break.
The Eperviers will face Guinea on March 27 in Rabat, before taking on Niger’s Mena on March 31 in Casablanca.
In addition, Neveu’s first roster includes experienced players such as Dakonam Djene, Kodjo Laba, Roger Aholou, and Kevin Denkey. It also features a dozen young players to prepare for the team’s future. The coach has called up Idjessi Metsoko (21), Yannis Lawson (19), and Faad Sana (20) for the first time.
This training camp in Morocco will allow the French coach to lay the groundwork for his sporting project with the Éperviers, while assessing the players’ fitness levels and working on the playing principles he wishes to implement.
Complete squad
Goalkeepers: Malcolm Barcola (IR Tanger, Morocco), Mazamesso Kagbatawouli (AC Baccaruda, Togo), Achirafou Yaya (AFAD, Côte d’Ivoire), Steven Mensah (Vfb Oldenburg, Germany)
Defenders: Dakonam Djene (Getafe, Spain), Josue Homawoo (Standard Liège, Belgium), Kennedy Boateng (D Bucarest, Romania), Faad Sana (NS Mura, Slovenia), Abdoul-Sabourh Bode (Stade Malien, Mali), Steven Nador (Modena, Italy), Loic Bessile (Trencin, Slovakia), Izak Akakpo (Lorient, France), Yannis Lawson (Metz, France), Shabani Zuberu (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia), Pierre Nadjombe (Aachen, Germany), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre, France)
Midfielders: Kodjo Aziangbe (Shanghai Port, China), Karim Dermane (Lorient, France), Roger Aholou (Ittihad SC, Libya), Sadik Fofana (Lecce, Italy), Halid Djankpata (Gubio, Italy)
Forwards: Kevin Denkey (Cincinnati, USA), Kodjo Laba (Al Ain, UAE), Idjessi Metsoko (Trnava, Slovakia), Mansour Ouro-Tagba (Stuttgart II, Germany), Charles Abi (Valenciennes, France)
