Kevin Denkey scored twice for Togo as the side beat Cape Verde 3-2 in AFCON qualifying. Unfortunately for the Sparrow Hawks, their poor qualification campaign up to that point meant they had no chance of qualification ahead of the game with the Sharks. Cape Verde took an early lead through Kevin Lenini before Gilson Tavares of Benfica made it 2-0 after just 20 minutes. Denkey pulled one back from the spot for Togo before half-time to make it 2-1. The striker grabbed his second of the game with just under 15 minute to go, with Abdou Ouattara grabbing the winner two minutes before the end. Cercle Brugge forward Denkey has now scored five goals in 12 games.
While Togo and Denkey may be disappointed that the striker wasn’t able to qualify for the finals in Cote d’Ivoire, it does mean that he will be available for club football during the early months of 2024.
Fellow Pro Leaguer Frederic Ananou started in defence for Togo. However, he was replaced after 45 minutes with head coach Paulo Duarte looking to go more attacking in the second half. Despite being on the fringes of the Charleroi squad, Loic Bessile started and played the full 90 at the heart of the Togolese defence.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
