Togo begins World Cup preparations

The Togolese Football Federation (TFF) on Wednesday announced the preparatory program for the national squad ahead of the World Cup 2006 in Germany.

The TFF calls for a participation "without many failures" of the team that is now managed by German coach Otto Pfister after Nigerian Stephen Keshi was sacked.

The TFF officials have set up a new technical structure, which comprises a national technical department, national coaches for senior, junior, younger teams and the female football.

The national team's technical staff will comprise a head coach, two deputy coaches and a coach for goalkeepers.

Shortlisted players will gather in Lome 23-30 March for a weeklong training course to be followed by another course in Germany from April 3 to May 10.

According to the TFF, the regrouping of the 23 players selected for the World Cup will start on 15 May in Wangen, Germany, a city chosen to host the team.

Source: Xinhua