Rivers United ace celebrates first Togo call-up

Rivers United defender Yaovi Douhadji has said he is excited to be handed his first-ever call up Togo for two AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Tunisia later this month.

Douhadji was named in the 25-man squad made public by Togo coach Tom Saintfiet on Tuesday.

The big defender has played twice for United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) this season (against Enyimba and Mountain of Fire and Miracles FC) and is now in line to make his international debut.

“I am very happy to get this chance to play for my country. It is the dream of every footballer to defend the colours of his country,” he said.

“This is the first time I will be playing for my country and the games against the Tunisians will be big matches.

“I thank the coach for his faith in me and I promise not to let him down,” the defender said.

Togo’s Hawks will face the Carthage Eagles in the first of the two AFCON 2017 qualifiers between March 23-26 at the Stade Olympique de Radès with the reverse fixture taking place at Stade de Kégué in Lomé between March 26-29.

The Hawks are currently in first place in Group A of 2017 AFCON qualifying with maximum points after two games.