Sparrow Hawks Strong Enough To Qualify For 2022 World Cup

Togo national team head coach Claude Le Roy believes the current Sparrow Hawks team can qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Sparrow Hawks will face Congo’s Les Sao, Namibia’s Brave Warriors and Senegal’s Lions of Teranga in Group G.

The qualifiers are earmarked to kick-off on October 13, 2020, though FIFA is yet to release full fixtures for the competition after suspension of some football activities due to coronavirus pandemic.

However, Le Roy has begun monitoring players following the resumption of European leagues, as he is keen to ensure Sparrow Hawks reach the tournament as the country has failed to qualify for a while.

“If we want to have a chance of making it to Qatar, we can’t afford to drop any points during the qualifiers,” Le Roy said on French portal, WeloSport.

“We have to first acknowledge that logic dictates that Senegal are the clear favourites in our group. They were recently Cup of Nations finalists and they’re one of the continent’s strongest teams.

“If the coronavirus had never happened, we would be on the point of finishing a preparatory training programme that we implemented to continue with work that was begun years ago.

“My goal is to help this team to blossom, whether that’s with me or with another coach. My approach always involves leaving solid foundations behind me after I leave.”

The last time qualified for the World Cup finals was 14 years ago in the 2006 tournament that was held in Germany.

Le Roy has been in charge of Togo since 2016 and over the course of four years, the Frenchman has tried to improve football standards in every corner of the West African country.

The 72-year-old began his African career in Cameroon and has also been charge of Senegal, DR Congo (twice) as well as Congo-Brazzaville.

He has also coached the national teams of Malaysia, Oman and Syria as well as at clubs in China, France and England.