Togolese politicians and sports authorities have asked all compatriots to mobilise around the Togo national football team, the Sparrow hawks, to beat Gabon this weekend and win a place for the next African Cup of Nations plan ned in 2010 in Angola.
The players, after an audience on Thursday with president Faure Gnassingbe, said they were motivated, and promised to do their best to seek revenge on the Panth e rs of Gabon who beat them 3-0 in the first leg. President Gnassingbe ordered the government to make all arrangements for a good préparation.
Staff of the Togolese Football Federation (FTF), who have been quarreling among themselves, promised to stop the quarrels for unity prevail. French coach, Hubert Velud, who was hired after the Belgian coach, Jean Thyssen surprisingly left, said he was confident about the result of the game.
The media and the supporters have also mobilised to back the team to victory. The Togolese captain, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, promised to personally double the players' bonus in case they win.
Togo, who has been eliminated for the World Cup in South Africa after being defe ated by Cameroon 3-0, wants to qualify for CAN. The job for the Sparrow hawks is expected to be tough, against Gabonese who have never been so close to qualifying for the first time for World Cup.