The Togo national football team faces a challenging schedule as they prepare for two matches against Algeria on 14 November and 17 November 2026. These fixtures represent the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Togolese Football Federation confirmed the dates for these encounters as the team looks to improve its standing within the qualifying group. Preparations for the double-header are currently underway in Lomé under the direction of the technical staff. Both matches are essential for Togo to maintain contention for a spot in the upcoming tournament. National team coach Patrice Beaumelle and Togolese Football Federation president Guy Akpovi are expected to oversee the squad’s departure to Algeria ahead of the first match.
Confrontation During Press Conference
Patrice Beaumelle, the 72-year-old Togo national team coach, engaged in a heated confrontation with a journalist during a media session in Lomé. The incident occurred as questions regarding team discipline were raised. Responding to the inquiry, Patrice Beaumelle directed the reporter to rise from his seat. "No, no, no... Do not try to play with me in this way," he stated. "Stand up, since you addressed me. Stand up, and I will stand up too. Stand up so everyone can see you! Stand up so everyone can see you!"
Patrice Beaumelle began his tenure as Togo coach in February 2026. His leadership of the squad follows a period of transition within the Togolese Football Federation. The coach currently maintains his position while managing the team’s preparations for the upcoming qualifiers against Algeria. The interaction drew attention from those present, reflecting the heightened atmosphere surrounding the team before their departure for the two matches.
Federation Calls for Dialogue
Guy Akpovi, president of the Togolese Football Federation, issued a formal statement on 4 November 2026 addressing the confrontation between Patrice Beaumelle and a journalist in Lomé. He expressed his regret over the incident and emphasized the necessity of maintaining professional standards during media engagements. "You have the right to ask questions, even the most embarrassing ones, and to request clarifications, and to practice your profession in an atmosphere of respect and appreciation. I call for calm, dialogue, and collective efforts," Guy Akpovi stated.
These internal tensions arrive as the national team attempts to end a significant period of absence from continental competition. Togo has missed the last four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. The squad is currently focusing on the 2027 qualification cycle to reverse this trend.
Historical data indicates that the national team has struggled to replicate past successes in the tournament. The best performance for Togo in the Africa Cup of Nations occurred in 2013, when the team reached the quarter-finals. Players and staff are now under pressure to improve upon these results during the upcoming qualifiers against Algeria to regain a place among the continent's elite football nations.
