Only a handful of individuals can accurately locate Togo, a West African nation known for its passion for football and situated adjacent to Ghana, on the tennis map. For a period of 19 years, Togo was absent from the esteemed Davis Cup tournament, until its return in 2022 marked a significant resurgence. Over the past two years, Togo has achieved an impressive record, winning 10 out of 11 Davis Cup matches, including a notable 3-2 victory against Indonesia last year, followed by an extraordinary 4-0 triumph over Latvia on home soil, which secured their advancement to the World Group I play-offs.

Ahead lies a formidable challenge against India, who will benefit from the support of the home crowd. Nevertheless, the determined Togo team is focused on the 'history and recognition' that awaits them.

The squad that arrived in the Indian capital on Monday consisted of just four players, including captain Agnamba Ali and Ahialey Clement Mawuli, the president of their tennis association. Thomas Setodji is the sole ranked player, positioned at 1256, and the only member familiar with the Indian players, having encountered them on the tour while also serving as a travelling coach for French player Calvin Hemery, who is ranked 206. The remaining players are Liova Ayite Ajavon, Hod'abalo Isak Padio, and M'lapa Tingou Akomlo.

However, none of these athletes train in Togo. In pursuit of better opportunities, they have relocated to other countries. Three of them, including the captain, reside in the United States, while two are based in France. Despite the distance, they maintain regular communication through WhatsApp. When a Davis Cup tie is scheduled, they unite, train, and achieve victory.

Tennis, while we participate as a collective, fundamentally remains an individual sport. Each athlete is cognizant of their teammates' skills and understands the necessary preparations. When we unite as a team, we engage in training and undertake the essential activities to prepare ourselves for the forthcoming competition. I also hold the view that these players—whether one believes it or not—frequently engage in meaningful conversations, sharing humour in our group chats, despite being situated in various locations.

The 50-year-old Davis Cupper may have appeared to be an easy challenge for these athletes, yet he acknowledged that the path was anything but simple. Beyond seeking recognition on a prominent platform, they were motivated to dispel the scepticism of those back home.

"You referenced soccer, but I must emphasize that Togo has always possessed a commendable tennis team. The fact is, we have not participated in the Davis Cup for the past 19 years. Therefore, our current actions should not come as a surprise. However, we have achieved victories when others doubted our capabilities, and we succeeded. Togo may be a small nation, yet we boast exceptionally talented young athletes who are continually emerging. I believe we are on the brink of making history here, and I hope this weekend will reflect that," he stated.

When asked what has fortified these players throughout their journey, Agnamba attributed it to possessing the "right attitude and team spirit."

"This group of individuals has been together since 2022, and as he mentioned, it is always a contest between players, necessitating the expectation that each competitor will perform at their best. With such an attitude, nothing will catch you off guard. These players have demonstrated their ability to compete against anyone, and the results affirm that. With this mindset and the team's spirit, we are a unified group of players pursuing the same goal, and I believe this attitude will propel us to success," he added.

Having acknowledged the stakes for this visiting team, do Togo believe they can compete against a seasoned Indian squad? Stood.

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