Togo''s Adebayor is lethal but...

By Fred Kaweesi

Saturday, 4pm

Nations Cup qualifier
Uganda v Togo

Uganda will successfully dispatch Togo this Saturday only if Cranes can design a well-laid strategy that will frustrate the ‘Ayite brothers,’ rather than concentrate on patrolling danger-man Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Sparrow Hawks, expected to set foot in the country on Thursday, are aware that their fixture against the Cranes is a life-and-death affair.

The West Africans are aware that a third consecutive defeat to Uganda will literally end their hopes of making the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

“We will have to work as a team. We will need to defend better and create chances. We didn’t create chances against Guinea. We must improve in that area because Togo won’t be easy at all,” striker Geoffrey Massa told New Vision.

 “This game means a lot to them (Togo). We have to play really well in all areas,” the 28-year-old, who scored as his Amatuks side lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, added.

Due to the significance of the game, Togo has assembled their best possible 23-man squad. Tottenham striker Adebayor is their most prominent star and remains Togo’s main route to qualification from Group E.

When the 30-year-old is in the team, he is the captain and biggest threat alongside attacking partner Serge Gakpe. But it could prove catastrophic if Cranes game-plan highlights Adebayor, 25-year-old striker Gakpe and ignores the two Ayite brothers –Floyd (Reims) and Jonathan (Brest).

True, if Adebayor is not scoring, he is chasing down lost causes, always on the shoulder of the last man and causing havoc with his hold-up play.

That has been constant for club and country. However, it’s the contributions of the Ayite brothers that could prove rather devastating.

Jonathan struck Togo’s consolation in the 2-1 defeat to Guinea while Floyd notched the Hawks opening goal in the 3-2 defeat to Ghana.

Jonathan, 29, is an out and out striker, whose contribution is normally off the bench. Unlike Jonathan, Floyd is a permanent fixture in the team.

He is the heart and soul of Tchakala Tchanile’s Hawks side. The Bastia attacking midfielder has matured into a fine playmaker for the team. He made his debut in 2008 and has since made more than 18 appearances.

Apart from Reims, he has featured for French clubs Bordeaux, Nancy and Angers. In pre-season, 25-year-old Floyd was linked to a number of English clubs but opted to work under former France international Claude Makelele at Bastia after joining in from Reims.

In the Togo team, he is the commander and match maker.

The 5ft 9inch is an enterprising and robust central midfielder comfortable with destructing as well as constructing. His physical qualities are incredible, yet he is also a creative asset in the centre of the pitch, capable of advancing up field and carving out chances for his team.

Togo squad:

Goalkeepers: Agassa Kossi (Reims), Djihani Nguissa (Dyto) and Nouridine Yacoubou (Semassi).

Defenders: Akakpo Serge (Horvela), Tawali Magnima (AS Douane), Ouro Akoriko Sadate (Amazulu FC), Donou Kokou (Maranatha), Mawouna Amevor (Go Ahead Eagles), Kousso Kodjovi Nono (Bayern-Munich) Nouwoklo Martin Kossivi (Maranatha) and Djene Dakonam (AD Alcordon).

Midfielders: Alaixys Romao (Marseille), Zato Arouna Farid (Kr Reykjavik), Ayite Floyd (Bastia), Matthieu Dossevi (Olympiakos), Segbafi a Prince (Zorya Lugansk), Atakora Lalawelé (AIK) and Wome Dove (Super- Sports United).

Strikers: Peniel Mlapa (Nuremberg), Serge Gakpe (Nantes), Ayite Jonathan (Alanyaspor), Adebayor Sheyi Emmanuel (Tottenham), Abraw Calmadine (Free State Stars) and Mama Zougou Nazif (Semassi).

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