AFCON 2013: Togo vs Tunisia preview

January 29, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Togo vs AlgeriaWith Ivory Coast already having secured the first place in Group D, Togo and Tunisia will decide on the second team to progress to the quarter-finals from this group.

Following the shocking incident at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations that forced the national team to withdraw from the competition, the Sparrow Hawks were banned from participating at the next two tournaments, but that ban was overturned to allow them to participate in South Africa.

After both Emmanuel Adebayor and Kossi Agassa decided to return from international exile, Togo entered the tournament finals in good spirits.

Didier Six’s side were terribly unlucky to lose their first game to Ivory Coast, but they more than made up for the defeat with a 2-0 victory over Algeria.

As a result, Togo are now favourites to qualify alongside the Elephants, with a draw that would see them reach the quarter-finals priced at 3.40 (12/5) at Coral.

After scoring the opening goal against Algeria, captain Emmanuel Adebayor is 2.70 (17/10) with BetVictor to score against Tunisia as well.

Midfielder Dowe Wome picked up a knock in the Algeria game, but he should be fit to feature, just like the rest of the squad.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-2): Agassa – Mamah, Nibombe, Akakpo, Djene – Romao, Amewou – J. Ayite, Wome, Gakpe – Adebayor.

Tunisia arrived at the tournament finals with a pretty average squad, deprived of star players, with the situation getting even worse after star forward Issam Jemaa was ruled out through injury.

The Carthage Eagles rode their luck for much of their opening match against Algeria, but somehow managed to record a valuable win after Youssef Msakni scored a beautiful goal in the dying moments of the match.

Sami Trabelsi’s side could, however, do nothing to prevent defeat in their second match, losing 3-0 to Ivory Coast, but the good news is they can still qualify by beating Togo.

That will be no easy task even if Tunisia manage to show a much needed improvement, so I don’t see a value in odds of 2.30 (13/10) offered at BetFred on away win.

Issam Jemaa remains sidelined, but boss Sami Trabelsi has no fresh injury worries. Midfielder Oussama Darragi is expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Ben Cherifa – Boussaidi, Ifa, Abdennour, Chemmam – Traoui, Hammami, Mouelhi – Msakni, Darragi – Khelifa.

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