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[CAN 2022] Nathalie Badate: "Show that Togolese women's football has value"

Togolese footballer Nathalie Badate.

© Courtesy of FTF-Togolese Football Federation

Text by: David Kalfa Follow

3 mins

On February 23 in Gabon, the Togolese women's national team won the first participation in its history in an African Cup of Nations.

For its captain Nathalie Badate, this CAN 2022 scheduled in Morocco from July 2 to 23, is a great opportunity to highlight Togolese women's football.

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RFI: Nathalie Badate, what does Togo's first participation in a women's African Cup of Nations mean to you?

Nathalie Badate:

First of all, it's an honor for my country, for Togolese women and for me.

This qualification was an immense joy for the Togolese population.

It is really a great pleasure for me to participate in this first qualification in the history of Togo.

What was your reception after this qualification?

We had the right to a great welcome, especially at the Ministry of Sports.

Madam Minister of Sports and Recreation

is also to be commended for all her efforts, to be able to snatch this qualification.

The supporters were there, behind our vehicles.

They were really happy.

Before that, the Togolese diaspora in Gabon was already very happy and they danced all night long.

It was crazy !

How did the Togolese footballers react?

Emmanuel Adebayor Sheyi, Serge Gakpé and all the great footballers of Togo supported us during this qualifying campaign.

[…] The messages of encouragement and congratulations have not stopped falling.

It really did us good.

What can this qualification for CAN 2022 change for women's football in Togo?

It can change things in the same way that the men's qualification for the 2006 World Cup changed things for them.

I think this qualification for CAN 2022 will be a boon to better structure women's football in Togo.

In what state is women's football in Togo, by the way?

In our country, in general, there are many individuals who make an effort for football, as does the state.

But there is a lack of regularity concerning the championship.

It does not really bring well-being to young Togolese girls who aspire to work.

This lack of regularity means that young Togolese girls are not always up to speed.

But, if the State begins to put more means, for more regularity, I think that that can give a good result.

Few Togolese evolve outside the country like you [1].

Are you counting on this CAN 2022 to get you noticed by foreign clubs?

Yes, we obviously rely a lot on this competition to show people that Togolese women's football has value and that there is a lot of talent in Togo.

I think this CAN will really boost things for us Togolese.

What will be Togo's objective at CAN 2022?

We aim above all to qualify for the World Cup!

For that, it will be necessary to reach the last four of the CAN 2022. This is what I am aiming for and I think that my teammates have the same state of mind.

[1] Nathalie Badate has just joined French club Tarascon FC.

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