World cup 2006 preview togo

World Cup 2006 Preview – Togo

Outright Odds: 500/1

Group G Winners: 16/1

First-time World Cup qualification for the tiny west African country used to be this sort of first-rate achievement the countrys president declared a countrywide holiday to rejoice.

Togo had not at all come on the subject of qualifying prior to until eventually they launched into the historical past making campaign which saw them stable a spot in Germany ahead of 2002 World Cup zone finalists Senegal and African Cup of Nations finalists Mali.

After a anxious start which observed them lose their opening suit in a initial qualification tie towards minnows Equatorial Guinea 1-zero, they gained the return leg 2-zero and after losing their commencing team event away to Zambia, remained unbeaten to best the crew.

Their area in Germany used to be decided on the closing day of qualifying and a draw at Congo may be enough. They fell behind two times however two second part desires from Sochaux striker Kader Toure earned Les Eperviers cc6 (The Sparrow Hawks) a 3-2 win.

Qualification observed a party to quit all parties within the capital of Lome. Revellers defied a vigour cut and pouring rain to rejoice what turned into visible previously the qualification suits as an unimaginable undertaking.

Like South Korea, they have got observed a modification in leadership until now the finals this summer season. Former captain and assistant instruct of Nigerian Stephen Keshi took over following the Zambia defeat and lead Togo to Germany however in flip left following a deficient displaying on the Cup of Nations. He has been changed through 68-year-historical German Otto Pfister who has coached in Switzerland, Asia and Africa however not ever in his hometown.

Togo are a specific thing of an unknown wide variety and could spring a shock like Senegal did 4 years in the past. They have much of speed up the front and their megastar participant is striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who joined Arsenal from Monaco. He changed into the continents desirable goalscorer and weighed in with 11 pursuits. Togo even have a especially rated goalkeeper in Kossi Agassa who is nicknamed magic palms.

With a pedigree for being whipping boys of African football, Togo are unsurprisingly accepted to be gradual starters in fits. While they controlled to conquer this against more modest opposition, they are going to now not locate their warring parties in Germany so forgiving.

Recommended Bet

Somebody may possibly spring an important shock during this match so why now not Togo who should emulate the good fortune enjoyed with the aid of Senegal in 2002? Their first event pits them towards arguably their weakest rivals in South Korea that could act as a springboard for the video games in opposition t France and Switzerland. Its a longshot, but

Togo to qualify from Group G @ three/1