With the penultimate round of the FIFA World Cup 2006 African zone qualifying football matches coming up in September, Togo have the opportunity to virtually secure their position at the top of Group One in the African qualifying zone ahead of Zambia, and the former group favourites Senegal, and are on the verge of making Togolese football history!

Togo's next opponents are bottom-placed Liberia on the 4th of September at home in Lome, with the prospect of an easy victory. Liberia's away record is woeful; having played four, they have lost four, conceding fourteen goals on the way and managing only two themselves. Les Eperviers, (the Sparrowhawks) of Togo in contrast, have a perfect home record and a haul of ten goals. Added to this is the fact that Togo have one of the best defensive records in African football, having only conceded two goals in the whole qualifying campaign, equalling that of Ghana, Nigeria and Angola.

The outstanding players of the current crop are Kossi Agassa, Junior Senaya, Thomas Dossevi, Adekamni Olufade and without doubt their star player, Monaco striker Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, who has already scored seven goals in the African qualifiers.

If they achieve their expected win, Togo will have twenty points, and may also see the current single point advantage that they already hold stretch to two, or more, depending on the outcome of undoubtedly the tie of the round, Zambia v Senegal, in Chililabombwe on the same day. If the result of this match is a draw, and Togo were to win, then the Togolese will inevitably qualify then and there for the FIFA World Cup Finals 2006, due to their massive goal difference over second placed Zambia.

Zambia will be looking to their inspirational young striker, and newly signed Portsmouth player, Collins Mbesuma to provide the goals that will finally end Senegal's increasingly desperate efforts to secure qualification.

The Senegalese Lions of Teranga, following their exploits at World Cup 2002, were seeded top in the group. However, they have been struggling throughout the qualifying stage. Disappointing results away from home, especially the shock 3-0 defeat to Liberia, have left them floundering in third place, with a win the only option in the game on 3rd September.

Their two draws in June, away to Congo and at home against Togo, sealed the fate of their French coach Guy Stephan, who was sacked following widespread public criticism after the disappointment against the Togolese. Youssoupha Ndiaye, the sports minister, was also removed from his position. Several days later, Said Fakhry, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) resigned. He cited "the frustration and disappointment of the Senegalese" following the 2-2 draw with Togo. But realistically his position had become untenable following the departure of his boss, Ndiaye.

Having to get a result in Zambia following the upheavals of the summer is going to be an enormous challenge for the Senegalese; but with so much at stake, and no room for manoeuvre we can expect to see the Teranga Lions going all out for victory. Consequently, a great game can be expected in Chililabombwe, with both teams having to win to maintain any chance of keeping up with Togo.

If there is a winner in the match in Chililabombwe, the winner will have to hope for the Togolese oussoupha Ndiaye to fail to win against the Congo in the final round of matches in October. If Zambia are triumphant, they face what should be a winnable game away to Liberia. Senegal also face what should be a straightforward victory at home to Mali. However, the crunch match of the round is likely to be seen in the Congolese capital Brazzaville, where, if Togo can hold their nerve, and overcome the already eliminated Congo side, they will have become the first team from Togo ever to reach the World Cup Finals.

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