Togo hope to make history when they face off against Tunisia in a crucial Group D encounter tonight. The Sparrow Hawks have not qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament since their debut in 1992 and tonight, they need just a draw to rewrite history.
Despite their loss to Ivory Coast in the opening match of the tournament, The Hawks sent out a strong message that they had come down to SA with a clear mission of making a name for themselves. Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayo failed to take advantage of Ivory Coast’s crack at the back early on in the game, which could have changed the flow of the game from then on.
Intent in the mission the Togolese kept knocking on the Elephants’ door, cracking open their opposition’s defence on several occasions despite failing to get the important goal.
It was no surprise when The Hawks collected maximum points against Algeria in their second match of the tournament and the team’s all-time top scorer with 27 goals, opening the scoring. The team is very strong defensively, very creative in the midfield, with a very strong spirit of fighting until the last end.
Togo look well poised to meet Group C leaders, Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.
Tunisia, on the other hand, have not looked quite sharp. With their reliable striker, Issam Jemma, who is reported to be nursing an injury, doubtful to start and his fitness being question should he start, Msankni is left as the only real threat to the Togolese defence.
Togo look well poised to meet Group C leaders, Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.
In another Group D match Ivory Coast will play a formality match against Algeria tonight. Ivory Coast have already qualified for the quarterfinals while Algeria have already been knocked out of the tournament.
– By Sipho Kekana
