Outright Odds: five hundred/one
Group G Winners: sixteen/one
First-time World Cup qualification for the little west African nation was these a great achievement the countrys president declared a national holiday to rejoice.
Togo had by no means occur near to qualifying before until they embarked on the historical past building marketing campaign which observed them protected a location in Germany in advance of 2002 Entire world Cup quarter finalists Senegal and African Cup of countries finalists Mali.
After a nervous start off which saw them lose their opening match inside a preliminary qualification tie versus minnows Equatorial Guinea 1-0, they won the return leg 2-0 and just after losing their opening group match away to Zambia, remained unbeaten to top the group.
Their place in Germany was decided on the ultimate day of qualifying and a attract at Congo can be ample. They fell guiding twice but two next half targets from Sochaux striker Kader Toure earned Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks) a 3-two gain.
Qualification observed a celebration to finish all events during the funds of Lome. Revellers defied an influence Lower and pouring rain to celebrate what was noticed ahead of the qualification matches as an not possible activity.
Like South Korea, they have got viewed a alter in administration prior to the finals this summer months. Previous captain and assistant mentor of Nigerian Stephen Keshi took around adhering to the Zambia defeat and lead Togo to Germany but consequently left adhering to a lousy showing at the Cup of countries. He has long been replaced by 68-yr-old German Otto Pfister who has coached in Switzerland, Asia and Africa but never in his homeland.
Togo are a thing of an mysterious amount and could spring a shock like Senegal did four a long time in the past. They have a lot of pace up front as well as their star participant is striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who joined Arsenal from Monaco. He was the continents leading goalscorer and weighed in with eleven plans. Togo also have a extremely rated goalkeeper in Kossi Agassa that is nicknamed magic palms.
Having a pedigree for currently being whipping boys of African football, Togo are unsurprisingly recognized to generally be slow starters in matches. Though they managed to overcome this in opposition to far more modest opposition, they may not come across their opponents in Germany so forgiving.
Encouraged Guess
Anyone could spring a major shock With this Event so why not Togo who could emulate the good results appreciated by Senegal in 2002? Their very first match pits them versus arguably their weakest opponents in South Korea which could work as a springboard for the game titles versus France and Switzerland. Its a longshot, but
Togo to qualify from Group G @ 3/one