January 3 - FIFA has appointed General Seyi Memene (pictured), a veteran Togolese football administrator, as interim head of the Togo Football Federation (TFF).
Memene is also a vice-president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The appointment by football’s world governing body is aimed at putting an end to the in-fighting within Togo’s football federation.
The new man will be at the helm until fresh elections are held in July this year and according to Memene the task ahead will not be easy.
An interim committee has also been formed.
It includes Togolese Sports Minister Antoine Folly, local magistrate Pawel Sogoyou, lawyer Martial Akakpo, Barrister Rene Thiem and Kodjo Samla as new general secretary and journalist Richard Solitoki will act the rapporteur.
He said: ”It’s going to be very difficult trying to resolve the issues in the Togolese FF but we will do our best.
“Don’t forget I’ve been chairman of the TFF before, so I come with a lot of experience.”
Memene also said nothing could be done until after this month’s ]African] Nations Cup in Angola.
He said: ”Our first priority now will be do well in Angola.
“After Angola we can start on a new programme for the TFF.”
There has been an on-going internal power struggle between several factions within the TFF, which had been led by Colonel Rock Gnassingbe, brother of the Togolese President, who was in conflict with his first vice president, Gabriel Amei.
Memene said: ”We aim to manage the Togolese football until 31 July and hold a calm election.”
No member of the interim committee will be a candidate for the election, Memene claimed.