Le Roy: Togo’s potential is still there

Claude Le Roy has been in charge of more teams at the finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations than any other coach. The Frenchman has coached five different countries in eight final tournaments, but he faces a tough battle if he wants to add another appearance to his already impressive CV next year in Gabon. FIFA.com spoke to the legendary coach who took over the Togolese coaching reins in April.

With just two matches to go in the group stage, Les Eperviers are third in Group A of the 2017 AFCON qualifying competition – two points behind Liberia, whom Togo will be facing in their next match on 5 June – and behind Tunisia on goal difference. Already eliminated from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ by Uganda, Le Roy says his task is more forward looking with the Germany 2006 finalists.  “When I signed my contract, I was not told that qualification for the finals in Gabon was a must, so our main objective is to qualify for the AFCON finals in Cameroon in 2019,” he said. “However, we will, of course, do everything to go to Gabon next year. If we win in Monrovia and then in Lome against Djibouti in early September, qualifying is quite possible. The group is very tight, with three teams still in contention, but everything will depend on our result in Liberia. With 13 points, we could qualify either directly or take one of the two runners-up positions.”

The veteran coach took over after previous boss Tom Saintfiet and the Togolese FA agreed to part ways. Despite being so well-traveled in …

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