Togo, which has so far been unable to place two clubs in the group phase of CAF interclub competitions, is hoping that its two representatives in the African campaign this 2023-2024 season will finally make it through the preliminary rounds. These two teams, ASKO in the CAF Champions League and ASCK in the CAF Confederation Cup, will be looking to upset the big boys of African soccer to emerge honorably from the adventure.
ASKO and ASCK will be representing Togo for the fourth time in succession, in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup respectively. Led by a talented generation, but struggling to confirm the hopes placed in them over the last few years, this time they will have to show the full extent of their talent if they hope to progress to the second preliminary round and then the group phase. To do so, the two Togolese representatives can rely on the experience they have acquired in their last four appearances on the continent. ASCK, who were eliminated in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup on each occasion without being ridiculed, but were plagued by inexperience, know what to expect if they are to progress to the group stage. As for ASKO, who played in the group phase for the first time last season, the club from the town of Kara is dreaming bigger.
Opposite, it's AFAD (Academie Football Amadou Diallo) of Côte d'Ivoire for ASCK (Association Sportive des Chauffeurs de la Kozah) in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. If they qualify, the winner will face the winner of the matches between AS Douanes of Mauritania and SOAR of Guinea Conakry in the second preliminary round to validate their ticket for the group phase.Opposite them again, it's AS FAR of Morocco for ASKO de Kara in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. And in the event of qualification, the winner will play the winner of the clashes between Constantine of Algeria and Etoile Sportive du Sahel (ESS) of Tunisia in the second preliminary round of the aforementioned competition.
African campaign already in jeopardy?
Kara's ASKO, completely out of their depth, may well see their future in the CAF Champions League slip through their fingers.ASKO got their feet wet in their first preliminary round match of the season.Mey Gnassingbé's club lost 1-0 at home to AS FAR on August 20. Already on Saturday August 19, 2023, in the first leg of the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, ASCK were forced to draw (0-0) after a performance well below their many possibilities.
Can ASKO and ASCK go all the way?
At a disadvantage after ASKO's 1-0 defeat and ASCK's 0-0 draw, the two Togolese representatives must avoid premature elimination on the road.AS FAR of Morocco versus ASKO of Togo is the duel between David and Goliath on Saturday August 26, 2023 in Rabat.ASKO's Kondona must achieve the feat away from home, which is likely to be difficult. AFAD of Côte d'Ivoire face ASCK of Togo, with the Togolese club's back against the wall. ASCK's Chauffeurs will have no choice but to go all the way in Yamoussoukro on Saturday August 26, 2023 if they are to stay in the competition.
