Squad number: 22
Date of birth: 8 October 1984
Position: Goalkeeper
Current Club: Etoile Filante (Togo)

(Photo provided by FIFA.com)

Here’s the spec’s on Assimiou Toure.

Squad number: 23
Date of birth: 1 January 1988
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Position: Central defender, can play left back.
Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen
International Appearances: 1 (as of 5-Jun-2006)
International Debut: Saudi Arabia v. Togo (14-May-2006)

(Photo provided by FIFA.com)

Togo mastermind, Otto Pfister, spent weeks scouring documents of famous American athletes, looking for the Togo connection. Apparently 12 generations ago one of Vince’s ancestors lived in Togo. Since the country enjoys very liberal passport laws, Vince was given a passport and offered the job.

Aware that his new talent might have trouble learning to kick a round ball, rather than throw an oval one, coach Pfister has designed a special head set, that re-wires Vince’s cerebrum during a game. He actually can ‘think in College Football’ but play soccer. Those forearm smashes to the face of opposing defenders, translate to a slight tug of the shirt.

The Togo team better hunt down a wildebeest for a new and hungry Longhorn.

After getting picked up by Saint-Christophe in France, aged 18, he has led a long career in the backwaters of Europe’s minor leagues. Spending 10 years with Dunkerque, and even agreeing to play in the reserves for a while, Jean-Paul Abalo is not a glamour seeker. His modest nature and love of football make him a poster boy for promoting World football.

Abalo talks about Togo’s final qualifying win over Congo, that secured their place in the 2006 World Cup. “”Our last match with Congo was so difficult that when the final whistle went, we didn’t realise we’d done it at first. When it dawned on us, we all collapsed in tears on the pitch. There was joy, suffering and fear in those tears. And it was only when we touched down in Lome that we understood just what our victory meant. Never before has such a crowd gathered in Togo. It was a truly unforgettable moment.”

Jean-Paul Abalo now plays in Cyprus with Apoel Nicosia.

Name: Sherif Touré
Date of birth: December 27th 1981
Place of birth: Lome, Togo
Position: Center forward
Current team: Concordia Ihrhove in Germany.

Sherif Touré plays for an amateur team in Germany and so will be perfectly acclimatized for World Cup 2006. He speaks German and is hoping to make the breakthrough to professional.

Sherif has relatives playing in Europe including his brother, Kader Touré, professional with Sochaux, and its cousin Mamam Shérif Touré, who plays in Metz. Sherif also has a brother-in-law, Sadik Coubageat, old of Young Boys of Bern (Swiss). Says Sherif, “I always dreamed to play in France.”

He says he is waiting for his chance with Togo in FIFA World Cup 2006.

Name: Jean Paul Yaovi Abalo
Date of birth: June 26th 1975
Place of birth: Lome, Togo
Position: Defender
Current team: A.P.O.E.L Nicosia