- Title: Mama Togo - number 1 football fan.
- Date: 8th March 2017
- Summary: LOME, TOGO (RECENT) (REUTERS) MAMA AFFISSATOU AKA 'MAMA TOGO', PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB OF SUPPORTERS FOR TOGO'S NATIONAL TEAM WALKING IN STREETS MAMA TOGO TALKING TO GROUP OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE STREET MAMA TOGO WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (French) MAMA AFFISSATOU AKA MAMA TOGO, PRESIDENT, TOGO'S NATIONAL TEAM FAN CLUB SAYING: "The players have become like my children. I can support them because I know how to talk to them. I have been part of the team for a long time, for many years. I have also been part of the football federation for over 40 years, 30 years, I have been doing this for a long time."
- Embargoed: 22nd March 2017 15:49
- Keywords: Football Supporters Mama Togo Sparrow Hawks Fans Soccer Women's Day
- Location: LOME, TOGO
- City: LOME, TOGO
- Country: Togo
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001673LS2F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Decked out in the colours of the national flag, Mama Affissatou - known locally as 'Mama Togo', makes her way through the capital, Lome to a football match.
She is the head of the national team's fan club and she is mad about football.
Mama Togo created the club in 1997 with only 20 fans. Today there are over 100 members.
The 60-year-old has become something of a national treasure and her own fans always stop her on the street to say hello.
"The players have become like my children. I can support them because I know how to talk to them. I have been part of the team for a long time, for many years. I have also been part of the football federation for over 40 years, 30 years, I have been doing this for a long time," she said.
Mama Togo says her passion for football began as a teenage girl when she used to watch young boys play in the neighbourhood where she grew up, but she never played the game herself because football was always seen as a male sport.
She says her biggest challenge over the years has been attracting more women to join the club, but that is something that is gradually changing, especially when they see a woman at its head.
For the last 40 years, Mama Togo has never missed a Sparrow Hawks game. She leads the cheering with song and dance.
She also attends training, often speaking to coaches and players and giving them advice.
At home, Mama Togo cares for her children and works as a businesswoman. But even here football is never far from her mind.
"When I look at my players, I am happy because the training session on the day went well. I am happy and tell them that we will win. So when I see them in shape, I am very happy. Sometimes I stay at the hotel where they stay when they have a match, and when they want to go out, I ask them, 'where are you going? You know that we have a game to play.' And they say, 'mum I am just going to pick something up at home.' Then I ask them, 'did you ask for permission before going out.' So I tease them and we laugh," she said.
But all has not been well with the favourite sport of Togo in recent years.
The Sparrow Hawks - considered amongst Africa's best teams and a favourite at some of the continent's major tournaments, have been dogged by mismanagement and internal conflict.
Togo is ranked 125 worldwide by football governing body, FIFA and 35 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Despite the team's performance, Mama Togo maintains her unwavering support.
"You will see, we will go far this year. Because it's not easy, we came from far. We thank God today, we came to church, we are happy, we dance," she added.
Mama Togo says her greatest wish is to see Togo win the World Cup. The Sparrow Hawks have only ever qualified for the tournament once. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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