a écrit le 22 février 2006 à 17h36 World Cup qualifiers Togo have appointed 67 year-old German Otto Pfister as national team coach ahead of the finals in Germany. Pfister replaces Stephen Keshi following the team's poor performance at the African Nations Cup in Egypt.
Former Nigeria captain Keshi had come under much criticism for both the team's poor performances in Egypt and the much-publicised mishandling of the Emmanuel Adebayor affair during the tournament.
Pfister is a surprise appointment, given the availability of former DR Congo boss Claude Leroy, but has a decent African pedigree having managed the Zaire and Ghana national teams, along with Egyptian club giants Zamalek.
"We signed a short-term contract with Otto Pfister at the weekend," Togolese Football Federation president Rock Gnassingbe confirmed.
"The contract will cover the World Cup period and could be extended if the results at the World Cup are good."
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
There had been some confusion as to whether Keshi was continuing in the position, with news reports claiming he had been sacked after Togo's early return from Egypt but the coach himself denying the reports.
Keshi had told French reporters ahead of the appointment "I will be in Germany (for the World Cup this summer). There are no problems like those reported in the press".
And of badboy striker and new Arsenal signing Adebayor he said:
"He's a kid with a lot of talent. He can play better in fact. He has to continue to improve because he has still not reached his full potential.
"I will not stop encouraging him to keep on working, I hope that he listens to me".
Keshi: "Adebayor is cry baby"
It appears that Keshi's calls have been heeded neither by player or federation, with Pfister the man to lead Togo in their first World Cup finals appearance
Former Nigeria captain Keshi had come under much criticism for both the team's poor performances in Egypt and the much-publicised mishandling of the Emmanuel Adebayor affair during the tournament.
Pfister is a surprise appointment, given the availability of former DR Congo boss Claude Leroy, but has a decent African pedigree having managed the Zaire and Ghana national teams, along with Egyptian club giants Zamalek.
"We signed a short-term contract with Otto Pfister at the weekend," Togolese Football Federation president Rock Gnassingbe confirmed.
"The contract will cover the World Cup period and could be extended if the results at the World Cup are good."
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
There had been some confusion as to whether Keshi was continuing in the position, with news reports claiming he had been sacked after Togo's early return from Egypt but the coach himself denying the reports.
Keshi had told French reporters ahead of the appointment "I will be in Germany (for the World Cup this summer). There are no problems like those reported in the press".
And of badboy striker and new Arsenal signing Adebayor he said:
"He's a kid with a lot of talent. He can play better in fact. He has to continue to improve because he has still not reached his full potential.
"I will not stop encouraging him to keep on working, I hope that he listens to me".
Keshi: "Adebayor is cry baby"
It appears that Keshi's calls have been heeded neither by player or federation, with Pfister the man to lead Togo in their first World Cup finals appearance
