Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Lilian Brassier has joined up with the Togo squad for the first time, just days before a decisive double-header against Algeria in the CAF 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Lilian Brassier has joined the Togo camp in Tabarka, Tunisia, according to AfricaSoccer, a report confirmed by NigeriaSoccernet. Aged 27, he represented France at youth level (U19, U20) without ever playing for the senior team. He has chosen to represent his mother’s country, OneFootball reports.
The Sparrowhawks are preparing for matchday 3 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with a trip to the Fennecs on Saturday 14 November at 20:00 in Tizi Ouzou. The match will be refereed by Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho, assisted by his compatriots Boris Marlaise Ditsoga, Amos Abeigne Ndong and Cregue Fleury Moukagni, according to Horizons. The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday 17 November at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, according to CSPORTS Infos and OneFootball.
A career forged in France
A Stade Rennais academy product, Brassier played for Valenciennes and Brest, then joined Marseille in summer 2024 before returning to Rennes. He signed for Eintracht Frankfurt in summer 2026 on a contract until June 2031, according to OneFootball.
“I am very happy to defend the colours of Togo,” he told NigeriaSoccernet, highlighting the warm welcome from his new teammates. He could come up against his Frankfurt teammate Farès Chaïbi, who has been called up by the Fennecs, according to OneFootball.
Three withdrawals and one return
Head coach Patrice Neveu has to contend with three withdrawals: Sharani Zubéru (ESTAC Troyes), Mansour Ouro-Tagba (Bochum) and Steven Nador (Modena). They are replaced by Gustave Akueson (Bastia) and Yaw Annor (Bank El Ahly). Kevin Boma (Red Bull Salzburg) is also reported absent.
By contrast, Kennedy Boateng and striker Thibault Klidjé return to the Togo squad.
Algeria the favourites, a Togo side daring to dream
The bookmakers make Algeria overwhelming favourites: an Algerian win at 1.23, a draw at 4.90, a Togolese win at 8.70, according to AfricaSoccer and NigeriaSoccernet.
Thibault Klidjé, the Togo striker, acknowledges the quality of the opposition while showing ambition: “They have very good players, quality players, but we are here too. We’ll follow the coach’s instructions and see what happens against Algeria,” he told CSPORTS Infos.
Patrice Neveu stressed the game plan: “It is important to get into the principles of the match quickly. We’ll have to be extremely aggressive when winning the ball back.”
Togo have been training in Tabarka since 9 November before heading to Algeria on Thursday. The Sparrowhawks will stay at the “Titanic” hotel in Fréha, at Patrice Neveu’s request, as he insisted on a heated pool. They will train on Friday 13 November at 20:00 at the Stade Hocine-Aït-Ahmed, the kick-off time, according to Horizons and Planetesport.