Tuesday, January 29, 2013

| by

0

30.01. (Wed) 18:00 Togo - Tunisia

PROBABLE LINEUPS

TOGO
Agassa
Djene, Mamah, Nibombe, Akakpo
Gakpe, Amewou, Salifu, Adebayor
Ayite, Romao

TUNISIA
Chrifia
Bousaidi, Ifa, Abdennour, Chemmam
Traoui, Mouelhi, Msakni, Jemaa
Khelifa, Hammami

The meeting between Togo and Tunisia will take centre stage on Wednesday since the other Group D game involving Ivory Coast and Algeria can be described as a mere formality.

The Elephants became the first team to qualify to the quarter-finals after winning their first two matches while the Algerians were also the first to be kicked out after losing their second match 2-0 to the Sparrow Hawks.

Even though both Togo and Tunisia have three points apiece, the west Africans are rather advantaged with superior goals.

This means they need a draw to qualify while the Carthage Eagles must pick up all three points at stake to be able to join the Ivorians in the next stage of the tournament.

Didier Six’s men are chasing a quarter-final berth for the first time in the history of the competition after unsuccessful attempts in their last six outings.

The 2006 World Cup campaigners have been one of the surprised packages at the 2013 Afcon after emerging as tough customers for tournament favourites, Ivory Coast. It took a last minute goal from Gervinho to give the Ivorians a 2-1 victory.

They also found the back of the net twice to finish off Algeria and that led to the exit of the north Africans.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor will again be Togo’s weapon as he continues to be a predator in the backyard of opponents. He showed good signs of that when he got the first goal for his side against Algeria.

The good performance of goalkeeper Kossi Agassa means the 2004 champions must work off their socks to go past him.

The Tunisians will be hoping the possible availability of their top scorer; Issam Jemma will add some weight to their attacking line while Qatar-based, Msakni will need to be checked well by the Togolese defence.

DID YOU KNOW?

Togo are making their seventh appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Hawks have never qualified to the quarter-finals since their debut appearance in 1992.

Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor is the top scorer of the Togo national team.

Togo are currently ranked 77 on the Fifa table after losing six points.

Togo Coach Didier Six played for the French national team for nine years – from 1976 to 1984, earning 52 caps for his country and scoring 13 goals as a winger.

Emmanuel Adebayor remains Togo's all-time top scorer with 27 goals.

Tunisia are making their 16th appearance at the tournament and won it in 2004.
The Carthage Eagles have been at the Fifa World Cup on four different occasions.

Issam Jemma is Tunisia’s top scorer with 34 goals.

Prediction
Togo’s performance against Ivory Coast and the 2-0 victory over Algeria have boosted their confidence. Didier Six’s men know they need a draw to make history by qualifying to the quarter-final for the first time.
Editor's Prediction
Togo 1-1 Tunisia