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Togo
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outsiders in their group
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without major successes in the
past
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the actual selection has improved
despite the absence of star striker Bashirou Salou who might return for
the finals
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might be unterestimated after
failures in warm-up matches
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overview: Togo
among the best of Africa
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the
list of players (includes age and where do they play
analysis)
Togo are the minnows of
their group, but to some extent they could be dangerous. The small country
east to Ghana has been shaken by politically troubled times. Togolese football
has not been focussed upon but like all West African countries it has its
talented players.
Neither clubs nor
National team has won anything meaningful. Togo had reached the Nations
Cup finals once in the 70's and once in the 80's.
1998 Togo qualified
for the Nations Cup finals and upset Ghana in the first round. Anyway they
had clearly been not strong enough to advance to the second round. Although
their star player Bashirou Salou, who had been suffering from his double
obligations, opted not to play for Togo anymore, it can be said that the
team has still improved since. To qualify for the first time for a second
Nations Cup in a row will help. Bashirou Salou is included on the players
list for Togo and despite having not been part of the preparations might
join the team.
But coming out of
this giant group as one of the two frontrunners seems impossible. Even
a surprise like in 1998 will be out of reach unless for example Côte
d'Ivoire does not come up with home made problems to offer the opportunity.
But if they reach a draw against one of the others they might spoil a campaign.
The chances are low.
A 0:7 defeat in a
preperation match at Tunisia two weeks before the start of the Nations
Cup might come to help: they might be underestimated and their good matches
during the qualification (1:1 at Morocco) might be forgotten by their opponents.
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