Their World Cup campaign began with a quest for a berth in the finals for the very first time. Starting off in a modest fashion in 2003, Togo lost its first three qualifiers, their fate looking to betray, just as before.
But then the unthinkable happened. Togo beat African giants and Korea/Japan quarter-finalists Senegal, which proved to be a catalyst for an unbeaten run in the latter stages, including seven wins and just one loss from the remaining matches.
As a result, Togo finished at the top of their group in the qualifying stages.
Togo’s earlier bids for a place in the World Cup finals has not been much to speak of. Their first qualifying campaign was way back in 1974, which ended after a loss at the hands of Congo. In 1994, Togo lost all their preliminary matches.
Togo has had reasonable success in the African Cup of Nations, but they have never managed to do it at the highest level.
Togo’s 68-year old German coach Otto Pfister was taken for the job some 100 days before the World Cup this year, but his vast knowledge of African football and fondness to attacking football could prove vital for Togo’s success at this year’s edition in his own nation.
And with strikers like Oulfade Adekanmi and the talismanic Emanuel Adebayor in their side, teams like Korea and Switzerland may get a run for their money.
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