Togo U20 coach King Ametokodo has admitted his team’s defeat to Burkina Faso was caused by costly mistakes and a lack of concentration at key moments during their WAFU-B U20 tournament opener.
The Junior Hawks suffered a 3-1 loss to the Stallions despite what Ametokodo described as a strong performance from his players, leaving the Togolese side with work to do in their bid to challenge for qualification to the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Togo started the match with confidence and showed encouraging signs throughout the contest, but their inability to convert chances and defensive lapses proved decisive.
According to Ametokodo, the difference between the two teams was not necessarily the quality of football produced, but how both sides handled important moments in the match.
Speaking after the game, the Togolese coach expressed his disappointment, saying his players had performed well before being punished by avoidable errors.
He explained that his team had “played very well” before conceding “due to small details.” The coach summed up his frustration by saying: “We lost through naivety.”
Ametokodo also pointed to the opportunities Togo failed to take in front of goal, with missed clear chances contributing to the final result.
The defeat highlighted a frustrating contrast for the Togolese technical team. While the performance provided encouragement, the mistakes in both penalty areas ultimately determined the outcome.
Togo’s attacking players struggled to make their opportunities count, while defensive concentration problems allowed Burkina Faso to take advantage when it mattered most.
For Ametokodo, the immediate challenge is to ensure the team learns from the setback and responds in their remaining fixtures.
The loss has made Togo’s path more difficult in the WAFU-B U20 tournament, where they are aiming to secure a place in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The coaching staff will now focus on rebuilding confidence within the squad, addressing the errors identified from the Burkina Faso defeat and preparing the players for their next challenge.
Despite the disappointment, the Togolese coach believes the quality shown during the match provides a foundation for improvement.
The priority now will be turning positive performances into results as the competition continues.
Togo will need greater efficiency in attack and more discipline defensively if they are to revive their hopes of progressing in the tournament.
