Tactical nous drives Togo

Togo head coach Didier Six lauded his team’s tactical discipline ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Burkina Faso.

The Togolese finished second in Group D behind Ivory Coast but ahead of Tunisia and Algeria to qualify for the AFCON knockout stages for the first time.

Six believes his team lacked individual quality compared to their three Group D rivals and progressed based on their commitment to his tactics.

“The players played their game with the tactics we chose before the game,” Six said.

“Please do not forget that when you see Togo against Algeria, Tunisia and the Ivory Coast, you maybe thought that Togo will give three points to each team.

“We finished second in the group and qualified for the quarter finals.

“What is important during a game, more than trying to play our football is we have to try with to execute our tactics.”

But having set a new benchmark in South Africa, Six has reminded his players not to waste an opportunity to achieve even more at AFCON.

Togo take on Burkina Faso on Sunday with a spot in the final four up for grabs.

“I told the players that they have already written an important page of the Togolese football history,” Six said.

“There is still space to write more though.

“We now have to play at 100 percent.

“It is not impossible, just like for Burkina Faso it is not impossible.”