Fresh confusion over Togo coach's job

FRANKFURT, Jun 13 (Reuters) Confusion reigned over who would coach Togo just hours before their World Cup debut today when a player told Reuters that Otto Pfister would not be in charge for the match against South Korea.

''Otto will not be on the bench. They (the Togolese Football Association) have told him to wait,'' said the player, who did not want to be named.

A Togo official said the FA was still negotiating with Pfister, who has spent much of his life globetrotting, coaching eight different countries before Togo, and that there would be a decision soon.

Pfister arrived with the team at Frankfurt's Walstadion where the West Africans play South Korea at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT).

Should they fail to agree the terms with Pfister, Kodjovi Mawuena, who was promoted from assistant on Saturday, would seat and lead the team against South Korea in the opening Group G game.

A pay dispute involving the players which prompted Pfister to walk out last Friday night had still not been resolved, the player said.

Pfister was not immediately available to comment.

German Pfister quit last week, saying he could not work as players and officials were embroiled in a pay dispute which had led the squad to boycott training.

However, Pfister yesterday said he was returning to the squad and would be in the charge for the first match. Appeals from the players had persuaded him to change his mind, he said.

REUTERS PM HT1708