Lagos — Amid persistent speculations and uncertainties, Togo have named German Otto Pfister as the new coach to take the Hawks to Germany 2006. He replaces former Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi.

Keshi was heavily criticised in Togo after the national team lost their three matches at the African Nations Cup in Egypt last month.

Togolese Football FederationPresident, Rock Gnassingbe Disclosed yesterday that Pfister has signed a shot term contract.

"We signed a short term contract withOtto Pfiister.The contranc will cover the World Cup period and could be extended if the result at the World Cup are good"

The Hawks lost to DR Congo (0-2); Cameroon (0-2) and Angola (2-3) during their group matches in Egypt.

Federation officials stated that differences between Keshi and key players of the national team had forced them to take the decision.

Keshi, the former Nigeria captain, achieved the unprecedented feat of earning Togo a ticket to this summer's World Cup finals, ahead of Senegal and Zambia.

But the national team's first-round exit at the African Cup of Nations, where Keshi had a row with star player Sheyi Adebayor, had caused key TFF officials to turn against him.

Pfister, 67, has been coach of the former Zaire and has also worked with clubs in Egypt and Tunisia.

He managed Ghana at the 1992 Nations Cup finals where they lost to Ivory Coast 11-10 on penalties and was also coach of the Black Starlets that won the Junior World Cup in Italy in 1991.

Ghanaian-born Togolese defender Eric Akoto had told CITI SPORTS from Austria, that he has conferred with the rest of the team and they were in total disagreement with the Federation's decision to axe Keshi.

But, whether or not, they will resist Pfister's appointment remains to be seen.