Togo begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Burundi on Friday, with both sides looking to make a positive start in a difficult Group I.
The Hawks will host the Swallows at Stade de Kegue in Lomé, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 Central European Time on 25 September 2026.
The fixture takes on added significance because the group also contains Algeria and Zambia, two sides regarded as strong competitors.
With qualification places at a premium, dropping points in the opening round could make the fight for the second qualifying place more difficult.
Togo enter the match with confidence in attack after producing encouraging results in recent friendly matches.
The Hawks defeated Benin 5-1, beat Niger 1-0 and drew 2-2 with Guinea in their latest preparation games.
Experienced forwards Kevin Denkey and Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba will provide much of Togo’s attacking threat, while Getafe midfielder Djené Dakonam is expected to provide balance in the middle of the pitch.
Dakonam’s role could be important in both phases, with the midfielder capable of disrupting opposition attacks and helping Togo build from midfield through his passing.
Playing at home in Lomé is another factor expected to influence Togo’s approach.
The hosts are expected to take the initiative from the beginning, using pressure on the flanks and set pieces to try to unsettle Burundi.
Burundi, meanwhile, arrive with a less encouraging record in matches played away from home.
The visitors have struggled to produce goals on recent trips outside their country, suffering heavy defeats against Morocco and Gabon. They lost 5-0 to Morocco and 2-0 to Gabon in their most recent competitive and friendly matches away from home.
Burundi’s attacking hopes are expected to rest on Seydou Bazigumo and experienced forward Saido Berahino.
However, concerns over the team’s ability to maintain compactness in midfield could force Burundi to adopt a more defensive approach.
The visitors are expected to defend with a low block, potentially using a five-man defensive formation to restrict the space available to Togo’s attackers.
Togo are expected to dominate possession and territory, with their approach likely to involve frequent deliveries into the penalty area for Denkey and Laba.
Burundi, by contrast, are expected to focus on frustrating the hosts, slowing the tempo and looking for opportunities to send longer passes towards Berahino.
There is little recent competitive history between the two countries to provide a useful direct comparison.
The limited number of meetings means both teams enter Friday’s game without a significant recent head-to-head reference point.
The opening round of AFCON qualifying can also encourage a cautious approach, particularly in a group containing several strong sides.
Neither Togo nor Burundi will want to give their opponents an early advantage, and avoiding defensive mistakes is likely to be a major priority.
That could make the match a battle between Togo’s attacking ambition and Burundi’s attempt to remain organised and compact.
For Togo, the objective will be to use their home advantage and recent attacking form to break down a disciplined defence.
Burundi’s task will be to absorb that pressure, limit the space around their penalty area and create opportunities on the counter-attack.
With Algeria and Zambia also in Group I, the importance of Friday’s encounter extends beyond the opening match itself.
Both teams will be aware that a strong start could provide an important platform for the rest of their qualifying campaign.
At Stade de Kegue, Togo are expected to control much of the territory, while Burundi will look to keep the game tight.
The opening Group I fixture therefore sets up a contest between a Togo side looking to attack and a Burundi team expected to prioritise defensive organisation.
