Togo head coach Patrice Neveu lost his temper on Tuesday 3 November at the Kégué stadium after a question from journalist Espoir Gato of Nana FM about the target of qualifying for AFCON 2027.
The scene unfolded at the Kégué stadium, on the sidelines of the press conference to present the Togo squad. According to foot-africa.com, tension rose sharply when Espoir Gato, a journalist with Nana FM, asked Patrice Neveu about the Sparrowhawks’ ambitions and the target of qualifying for AFCON 2027.
The 71-year-old French coach disputed the idea that his contract required him to qualify the national team. He directly challenged the journalist in front of the audience, banging his fist on the table, the same outlet reports.
Two versions of the same outburst
The two sources do not report the answer in the same way. For foot-africa.com, Patrice Neveu said: “My contract does not state that I have to qualify you for AFCON 2027.” The coach added, still according to that outlet: “I didn’t come here to qualify myself, I want to qualify Togo for AFCON 2027. I want to!”
The version from lagazettedufennec.com is more detailed: “My dear sir, I will tell you that my contract does not state that I have to qualify you for AFCON 2027. But I said it, and I stood up for it, because I am not a little man.”
The exchange then targeted the journalist directly. Still according to foot-africa.com, the former Gabon and DR Congo coach called out to him: “You picked the wrong moment. (…) Stand up, since you spoke to me. Stand up and I will stand up. Stand up so we can see you.”
Rebuilding before qualifying
On substance, Patrice Neveu defended his mission at the helm of the Sparrowhawks, where he succeeded Daré Nibombé, according to lagazettedufennec.com. The coach explained that his main task was to rebuild a Togo national team in decline, foot-africa.com reports.
Before that press conference, Neveu’s preliminary squad numbered 31 players, including goalkeepers Steven Mensah, Malcolm Barcola, Achirafou Yaya and Rayann Amedivlo, and forwards Kevin Denkey, Thibault Klidjé, Charles Abi and Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba, according to foot-africa.com.
Algeria in the crosshairs
The outburst comes just days before a decisive double header in Group I. Togo sit third with 3 points, behind Algeria, the leaders with 4 points, according to lagazettedufennec.com.
The Sparrowhawks first travel to Tizi Ouzou to face Algeria on 14 November 2026, before hosting the same team on 17 November in Lomé.
Speaking to lagazettedufennec.com, Patrice Neveu also stands by his message: “I didn’t play the crybaby by saying, like some you know: ‘Ah, I’m in a tough group and we’re not going to make it.’”