By Saturday evening the identity of the five African Nations to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Germany next Summer will be known, and former African minnows Togo are among the 11 teams challenging for a place in the finals.

Group 1 Overview.

Group 1 of the Africa Zone is one of the surprise stories of the rise of African football. Previously unknown on the International stage, the ‘Hawks’ of Togo are currently topping Group 1 ahead of former group favourites, and former World Cup Finals giant-killers Senegal, and second favourites Mali.

All the Togo Hawks need is a draw against the Congo DR on Saturday to win the group, and qualify for the World Cup Finals for the first time ever.

Senegal and Mali were expected to be the two teams fighting for top-spot in Group 1, but the hitherto unknown Togo edged in front of the opposition early on, and the team coached by former Nigeria defender Stephen Keshi has out-played all the opposition in Africa Zone Group 1 to maintain their place at the top of the table.

Togo’s Sheyi Adebayor is currently the leading scorer throughout the Africa Zone qualifiers, with his tally of 10-goals. He plays his club football for French club AS Monaco, and with his gangling frame, he has become known as ‘the Peter Crouch of African football’.

Senegal, currently 2 points behind Togo, will meet Mali at home on Saturday, and a win is a necessity.

Senegal have English Premiership, and twice African Footballer of the Year El-Hadji Diouf, who plays his club football with Bolton wanderers to help in attack, but the only hope for the Senegalese lies in a home win over Mali, and a surprise defeat for Togo.

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