Otto Pfister
Encyclopedia
Otto Pfister is a German
football manager, and one of Germany's most successful coaching exports, voted Africa
's Manager of the Year in 1992. He has been to four African Cup of Nations
competitions with Upper Volta
(now: Burkina Faso
), Zaire, Cameroon
and Ghana
) and reached the African Cup of Nations
final twice, with Cameroon
and Ghana
. Pfister has won the FIFA U-17 World Cup
with Ghana
. He has also won the U19 African Cup of Nations
with Cote d'Ivoire
and led Togo
in the 2006 World Cup. Pfister also qualified for 1998 FIFA World Cup
with Saudi Arabia
. Pfister has won the League Title in two different Countries (Egypt
and Lebanon
). He has also won domestic cups in four different Countries (Tunisia
, Egypt
, Lebanon
and Sudan
).
as player-coach in 1961 at the age of just 23. Pfister's early coaching experience was gained with FC Vaduz
, FC St. Gallen
, FC Nordstern Basel
, FC Moutier and finally FC Chur 97
. He has worked as Head Coach for 10 International football teams, eight from Africa
and two from Asia
. In June 1972, at the age of 34, Pfister retired from his playing days and left Switzerland
for Africa
, taking the reins as the Head Coach of Rwanda
. Pfister would stay in Africa for 23 years until 1995 working as the Head Coach for five other African Nations. Upper Volta
(now Burkina Faso
), Senegal
, Cote d'Ivoire
, Zaire
(now DR Congo
) and Ghana
. In 1995, Pfister worked inside the Asian Football Confederation (AFC
) as the Head Coach of Bangladesh National Team
and also Saudi Arabia
from 1997 - 1999. Pfister returned to club football over the following six years with Egyptian team Zamalek, Tunisian club CS Sfaxien, Lebanese club Nejmeh and Egyptian club Al-Masry. Pfister was selected as the head coach of Togo
on February 18, 2006, after former coach Stephen Keshi
was dismissed from the post despite having secured qualification for their first World Cup Finals
. Pfister himself resigned shortly before the team's first match in the tournament, after his players went on strike against the federation over a pay dispute, but he was reappointed three days later after demands from the players. Pfister was appointed Manager of Sudanese club Al-Merreikh on September 8, 2006 and would later leave this position on October 26, 2007. The following day Pfister would sign a contract as the Head Coach of Cameroon
taking him through until 2010.
As of March 24, 2011, Pfister was unveiled as head coach of Trinidad and Tobago
. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta
became Burkina Faso
. The establishment in Burkina welcomed the German
coach and because of the natural interest in football, the Government’s commitment and Pfister's ability, Burkina Faso
qualified for their first ever African Cup of Nations
in 1978 in Ghana
. It was the success with the Burkina team that opened the way for Pfister to traverse Africa
, the Middle East
, and Asia
over the following years since his first landing Africa
.
,(commonly known as Ivory Coast in English
). He repaid his new employers’ confidence in him by taking the country’s youth team to the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship
in Mexico
. They would not qualify to the Quarter-finals, however, Pfister would win the U19 African Cup of Nations
with Cote d'Ivoire
in 1983.
(formerly the Zaire national football team) in 1985, where he would spend four years helping to restore the 1974 African champions to their former glories. Pfister was responsible for unleashing a new generation of ‘Leopards’, including Eugene Kabongo
, Gaston Mobati
, Panguy Merikani and Mutumbile Santos, all of whom took part in the African Cup of Nations
1988.
to a famous win in the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Championship. The Championship was held in the cities of Florence
, Montecatini
, Viareggio
, Massa
, Carrara
, and Livorno
in Italy
between 16 August and 31 August 1991. Ghana
finished second to Spain
in their group and progressed to the Quarter-finals where they beat Brazil
2-1 with goals from Mohammed Gargo
and Nii Lamptey
. After a 0-0 draw with Qatar
in the Semi-finals, Ghana
won 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out, lining up a final against Spain
. on August 31, 1991, Ghana
beat Spain
1-0 in the World Cup final in Florence
, Ghana's first title.
Ghana
qualified for the 1992 African Cup of Nations
after finishing top of their qualifying group. Ghana
qualified to the Quarter-finals after two 1-0 victories over Egypt
and Zambia
in the first round of the final tournament. Ghana
beat Congo national football team
to take them through to the Semi-finals where they beat Nigeria
, 2-1. On January 26, 1992 in Senegal
, Ghana
played Côte d'Ivoire
in the final of the African Cup of Nations
. After extra time the final score was 0-0 and the game entered penalties. After a marathon penalty shootout, the Côte d'Ivoire
finally won 11-10 on penalties. The penalty shootout was significant in that it was the first in the final of a major international tournament that every player on the pitch took a penalty.
in 1997 after previously working in the AFC
from 1995-1997 with Bangladesh National Team
. In 1997, Pfister successfully guided Saudi Arabia
to the 1998 FIFA World Cup
in France
but was crudly released just before the tournament because he requested the Saudi Princes to interfere less in team affairs. After Saudi Arabia
lost their opening two games and failed to progress, Carlos Alberto Parreira
was fired and Pfister was reinstated as Head Coach on completion of the tournament. As World Cup
Qualifiers, Saudi Arabia
automatically qualified for the 1998 Arab Nations Cup
. With the help of an impressive 8 goals in 4 games from Obeid Al-Dosari, Saudi Arabia
were crowned champions after beating Qatar
3-1 in the final. Despite being the only team not to lose a game, Saudi Arabia
also finished as runners-up in the 1998 Gulf Cup of Nations
in Bahrain
.
in the African Cup Winners' Cup
(now the Confederations Cup). The first and last time this trophy would be won by the Egypt
ian club. Pfister led Zamalek for their worst defeat against rivals Al-Ahly 6-1 on the 16th of May 2002, Al-Zamalek also reached the final of the CAF Super Cup
, losing 2-0 to Accra Hearts of Oak SC.
in the Lebanon
for the 2004-2005 season. After 19 games, Nejmeh SC
were joint top of the Lebanese Premier League 2004–05 with Al-Ansar Club. Both teams needed to win the final match, which incidently was against each other. The final result was 2-2 and Pfister's Nejmeh SC
were crowned champions as they had a highly superior goal difference. Pfister secured qualification to the 2005 AFC Cup for Nejmeh SC
(which they would eventually finish as runners-up). Pfister also won the Lebanese Super Cup
and Lebanese Elite Cup
with Nejmeh SC
during the 2004-2005 season.
National football team three Months before World Cup 2006 after Stephen Keshi
was sacked. Prior to the World Cup
, players went on strike because of unpaid bonuses. Faced with the rebellion over bonuses, Pfister walked out, saying he could take no more. Pfister was reinstated three days later after demands from players and FTF staff. Togo
lost their opening game of the World Cup
, despite having taken the lead against South Korea
through a goal by Mohamed Kader
. In the second half, Jean-Paul Abalo
was sent off after 55 minutes, and goals from Lee Chun-Soo
and Ahn Jung-Hwan
sealed a 2–1 defeat for Togo
. Togo's next opponents in Group G were Switzerland
, with the match scheduled for the afternoon of 19 June. However, the Togo
squad threatened to refuse to fulfil the fixture and take strike action against unpaid bonuses. FIFA
negotiated with the squad on 17 June, persuading them to travel to Dortmund
in time to fulfil the fixture; goals from Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta
resulted in a 2–0 defeat. Togo's final group game against France
ended in 2–0 defeat.
, succeeding 80 other candidates. He coached Cameroon
in the 2008 African Cup of Nations
, held in Ghana
. Two second half goals from Samuel Eto'o
was not enough to win their opening game which finished 4-2 to Egypt
. Cameroon
picked themselves up four days later and beat Zambia
convincingly 5-1. In their final group game Samuel Eto'o
again scored twice as Les Lions Indomptables
won 3-0. After finishing second to Egypt
in the group stages, Cameroon
progressed to the Quarter-finals where after a close encounter, they beat Tunisia
3-2. Stéphane Mbia
scored early in extra time to take the Indomptable Lions through to the Semi-finals. Alain N'Kong scored a 72nd minute winner for Cameroon
in a 1-0 win over Ghana
in the Semi-finals, taking Cameroon
to their sixth final of the African Cup of Nations
. On 10 February 2008, Cameroon
took on defending champions Egypt in the Final in Accra
. Egypt scored a 77th minute goal through Mohamed Aboutrika which would be enough to win the match and be crowned the champions of the 2008 African Cup of Nations
. Samuel Eto'o
was the tournaments highest scorer with 5 goals. Pfister stepped down from his role on 26 May 2009.
. Pfister is a UEFA Pro License
holder, has a Bundesliga
license for professional football coaching and is an Instructor for FIFA
and German Football Association
professional football coaching courses.
In 2001, Pfister was awarded the Order of Merit
of the Confederation of African Football
as well as a German Football Federation Honors Award.
In Ghana the slang "Rules with an Iron-Pfister" is often used to refer to his coaching style.
During his time in Ghana
, Pfister's fame transcended football. His unconventional style of wearing his trousers on the hip, rather than the waist, has become a fashion trend among the youth.
Commenting that Tony Yeboah
's birthday can not be determined exactly, Ghana
's then-manager Otto Pfister said: There's only one way to find out: saw his leg off and count the rings!
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
football manager, and one of Germany's most successful coaching exports, voted Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
's Manager of the Year in 1992. He has been to four African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
competitions with Upper Volta
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
(now: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
), Zaire, Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
and Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
) and reached the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
final twice, with Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
and Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
. Pfister has won the FIFA U-17 World Cup
FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup, founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later changed to the FIFA U-17 World Championship and known by its current name since 2007, is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Fédération Internationale de Football...
with Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
. He has also won the U19 African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
with Cote d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
and led Togo
Togo national football team
The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus...
in the 2006 World Cup. Pfister also qualified for 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
with Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
. Pfister has won the League Title in two different Countries (Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
). He has also won domestic cups in four different Countries (Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
).
Coaching career
Otto Pfister has been involved in Association football for almost 60 years, he began his coaching career in SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
as player-coach in 1961 at the age of just 23. Pfister's early coaching experience was gained with FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
, FC St. Gallen
FC St. Gallen
Football Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
, FC Nordstern Basel
FC Nordstern Basel
FC Nordstern Basel is a football team from Basel, Switzerland.-Current squad:-Staff and board members:* Trainer: Ivo Guidantoni* Assistant Trainer: Franck Schwertz* Goalkeeper Coach: Lorenzo Giuffrida...
, FC Moutier and finally FC Chur 97
FC Chur 97
Fussballclub Chur 97 are a football team from Switzerland who have just been promoted to 1. Liga from 2. Liga Interregional Group 5 .- Squad 2010/2011 :-External links:...
. He has worked as Head Coach for 10 International football teams, eight from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and two from Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. In June 1972, at the age of 34, Pfister retired from his playing days and left Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
for Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, taking the reins as the Head Coach of Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
. Pfister would stay in Africa for 23 years until 1995 working as the Head Coach for five other African Nations. Upper Volta
Republic of Upper Volta
The Republic of Upper Volta was established on December 11, 1958, as a self-governing colony within the French Community. Before attaining autonomy it had been French Upper Volta and part of the French Union. On August 5, 1960 it attained full independence from France.Thomas Sankara came to power...
(now Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
), Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
, Cote d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
, Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
(now DR Congo
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
) and Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
. In 1995, Pfister worked inside the Asian Football Confederation (AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
) as the Head Coach of Bangladesh National Team
Bangladesh national football team
The Bangladesh national football team is the national team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup finals...
and also Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
from 1997 - 1999. Pfister returned to club football over the following six years with Egyptian team Zamalek, Tunisian club CS Sfaxien, Lebanese club Nejmeh and Egyptian club Al-Masry. Pfister was selected as the head coach of Togo
Togo national football team
The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus...
on February 18, 2006, after former coach Stephen Keshi
Stephen Keshi
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is a former football defender from Nigeria.-Playing career:An important player for Nigeria, Keshi was captain of the squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and played in five different African Nations Cup tournaments, helping to win the 1994 African Nations Cup.His last club was...
was dismissed from the post despite having secured qualification for their first World Cup Finals
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
. Pfister himself resigned shortly before the team's first match in the tournament, after his players went on strike against the federation over a pay dispute, but he was reappointed three days later after demands from the players. Pfister was appointed Manager of Sudanese club Al-Merreikh on September 8, 2006 and would later leave this position on October 26, 2007. The following day Pfister would sign a contract as the Head Coach of Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
taking him through until 2010.
As of March 24, 2011, Pfister was unveiled as head coach of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
Burkina Faso
Between 1976 and 1978, Pfister changed the face of football in Burkina FasoBurkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta
Upper Volta
Upper Volta may refer to:*French Upper Volta **a territory in French West Africa **a territory of the French Union *Republic of Upper Volta...
became Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso – also known by its short-form name Burkina – is a landlocked country in west Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.Its size is with an estimated...
. The establishment in Burkina welcomed the German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
coach and because of the natural interest in football, the Government’s commitment and Pfister's ability, Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso national football team
The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
qualified for their first ever African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
in 1978 in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. It was the success with the Burkina team that opened the way for Pfister to traverse Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
over the following years since his first landing Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Cote d'Ivoire
In 1982, Pfister became Coach of the Cote d'IvoireCôte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
,(commonly known as Ivory Coast in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
). He repaid his new employers’ confidence in him by taking the country’s youth team to the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship
1983 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship, the fourth edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in Mexico from June 2 to June 19, 1983. The tournament took place in seven venues — Guadalajara, Irapuato, León, Mexico City, Monterrey, Puebla and Toluca — where a total of 32 matches were...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. They would not qualify to the Quarter-finals, however, Pfister would win the U19 African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
with Cote d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
in 1983.
Zaire
Pfister took over as Head Coach of Congo DR national football teamCongo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
(formerly the Zaire national football team) in 1985, where he would spend four years helping to restore the 1974 African champions to their former glories. Pfister was responsible for unleashing a new generation of ‘Leopards’, including Eugene Kabongo
Eugène Kabongo
Eugène Kabongo is a former Congolese soccer player. He played for R.F.C. Seraing, RC Paris, Anderlecht, Olympique Lyonnais and Bastia.- External links :*...
, Gaston Mobati
Gaston Mobati
Gaston Mobati , was a Congolese soccer player. He was born in Kinshasa, and died in Réunion.-Club career:Mobati had a spell with Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. in the Greek Super League during the 1989-90 season.-References:...
, Panguy Merikani and Mutumbile Santos, all of whom took part in the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
1988.
Ghana
Otto Pfister led GhanaGhana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
to a famous win in the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Championship. The Championship was held in the cities of Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Montecatini
Montecatini
- Places in Italy :* Montecatini Terme, health resort in Tuscany* Montecatini Val di Cecina, village and mining town to the south of Pisa*Montecatini, hamlet in the comune of San Martino in Rio...
, Viareggio
Viareggio
Viareggio is a city and comune located in northern Tuscany, Italy, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With a population of over 64,000 it is the main centre of the northern Tuscan Riviera known as Versilia, and the second largest city within the Province of Lucca.It is known as a seaside resort...
, Massa
Massa
Massa is a town and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, the administrative centre of the province of Massa-Carrara. It is located in the Frigido River Valley, near the Alpi Apuane, some 5 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea....
, Carrara
Carrara
Carrara is a city and comune in the province of Massa-Carrara , notable for the white or blue-grey marble quarried there. It is on the Carrione River, some west-northwest of Florence....
, and Livorno
Livorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
between 16 August and 31 August 1991. Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
finished second to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in their group and progressed to the Quarter-finals where they beat Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
2-1 with goals from Mohammed Gargo
Mohammed Gargo
Mohammed Gargo is a former Ghanaian footballer.-Club career:Gargo joined Italian side Udinese in 1995. In January 2003 he was loaned to Venezia and in January 2004 sold to Serie B side Genoa along with Vittorio Micolucci, in exchanged for Rodrigue Boisfer and Valon Behrami, all in co-ownership...
and Nii Lamptey
Nii Lamptey
Nii Odartey Lamptey is a former Ghanaian footballer. He is known foremost for his erratic career, in which he became a superstar as a teenager and then suffered a long string of failures which burnt him out well before his time...
. After a 0-0 draw with Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
in the Semi-finals, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
won 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out, lining up a final against Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. on August 31, 1991, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
beat Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
1-0 in the World Cup final in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Ghana's first title.
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
qualified for the 1992 African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
after finishing top of their qualifying group. Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
qualified to the Quarter-finals after two 1-0 victories over Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
in the first round of the final tournament. Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
beat Congo national football team
Congo national football team
The Congo national football team, nicknamed the Diables Rouges , is the national team of the Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup, but did win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972...
to take them through to the Semi-finals where they beat Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, 2-1. On January 26, 1992 in Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
, Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
played Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
in the final of the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
. After extra time the final score was 0-0 and the game entered penalties. After a marathon penalty shootout, the Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national football team
The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
finally won 11-10 on penalties. The penalty shootout was significant in that it was the first in the final of a major international tournament that every player on the pitch took a penalty.
Saudi Arabia
Pfister became the Head Coach of Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
in 1997 after previously working in the AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
from 1995-1997 with Bangladesh National Team
Bangladesh national football team
The Bangladesh national football team is the national team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup finals...
. In 1997, Pfister successfully guided Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
to the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
but was crudly released just before the tournament because he requested the Saudi Princes to interfere less in team affairs. After Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
lost their opening two games and failed to progress, Carlos Alberto Parreira
Carlos Alberto Parreira
Carlos Alberto Gomes Parreira is a Brazilian former football manager. He managed Brazil to championships at the 1994 World Cup, the 2004 Copa América, and the 2005 Confederations Cup...
was fired and Pfister was reinstated as Head Coach on completion of the tournament. As World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
Qualifiers, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
automatically qualified for the 1998 Arab Nations Cup
1998 Arab Nations Cup
The 1998 Arab Nations Cup is the 7th edition of the Arab Nations Cup hosted by Qatar, in Doha. Saudi Arabia won their first title.- Qualifying : qualified as hosts. qualified as holders...
. With the help of an impressive 8 goals in 4 games from Obeid Al-Dosari, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
were crowned champions after beating Qatar
Qatar national football team
The Qatar national football team is the national team of Qatar and is controlled by the Qatar Football Association. They have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup but are hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The team has also appeared in seven AFC Asian Cup tournaments and hosted the 2011 AFC Asian...
3-1 in the final. Despite being the only team not to lose a game, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
also finished as runners-up in the 1998 Gulf Cup of Nations
1998 Gulf Cup of Nations
The 14th Gulf Cup of Nations was held in Bahrain, in October/November 1998.The tournament was won by Kuwait for the 9th timeIraq continued to be banned from the tournament because of invasion of Kuwait in 1990.-Tournament:...
in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
.
Al-Zamalek
Otto Pfister was highly successful during his time at Al-Zamalek. During his time as Head Coach (1999–2002) Pfister won an impressive five trophies. On December 10, 2000, Al-Zamalek recorded a convincing 6-1 aggregate score in the second-leg final against Canon YaoundéCanon Yaoundé
Canon Sportif de Yaoundé, commonly referred to as Canon Yaoundé, are a Cameroonian football club based in Yaoundé. The club was formed in 1930 and play their games at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo...
in the African Cup Winners' Cup
African Cup Winners' Cup
The African Cup Winners' Cup was a football competition that started in 1975 and merged with the CAF Cup in 2004 to form the CAF Confederations Cup...
(now the Confederations Cup). The first and last time this trophy would be won by the Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian club. Pfister led Zamalek for their worst defeat against rivals Al-Ahly 6-1 on the 16th of May 2002, Al-Zamalek also reached the final of the CAF Super Cup
CAF Super Cup
The CAF Super Cup is an annual African association football competition contested between the winners of the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. The competition was first held in 1993 and is organised by the Confederation of African Football...
, losing 2-0 to Accra Hearts of Oak SC.
Nejmeh SC
Pfister was appointed as Manager of Nejmeh SCNejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
in the Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
for the 2004-2005 season. After 19 games, Nejmeh SC
Nejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
were joint top of the Lebanese Premier League 2004–05 with Al-Ansar Club. Both teams needed to win the final match, which incidently was against each other. The final result was 2-2 and Pfister's Nejmeh SC
Nejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
were crowned champions as they had a highly superior goal difference. Pfister secured qualification to the 2005 AFC Cup for Nejmeh SC
Nejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
(which they would eventually finish as runners-up). Pfister also won the Lebanese Super Cup
Lebanese Super Cup
-Winners:*1996 : Al-Ansar*1997 : Al-Ansar*1998 : Al-Ansar*1999 : Al-Ansar*2000 : Nejmeh*2002 : Nejmeh*2004 : Nejmeh*2008 : Al-Ahed*2009 : Nejmeh*2010 : Al-Ahed-External Links:...
and Lebanese Elite Cup
Lebanese Elite Cup
The Lebanese Elite Cup is a Lebanese cup competition played by the top-6 league finishers of the previous season.The competition was first played in 1996 and was contested by the top four of the league and the cup winners. It was known as the Super League Cup...
with Nejmeh SC
Nejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
during the 2004-2005 season.
Togo
Otto Pfister was selected to lead the TogoTogo national football team
The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus...
National football team three Months before World Cup 2006 after Stephen Keshi
Stephen Keshi
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is a former football defender from Nigeria.-Playing career:An important player for Nigeria, Keshi was captain of the squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and played in five different African Nations Cup tournaments, helping to win the 1994 African Nations Cup.His last club was...
was sacked. Prior to the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, players went on strike because of unpaid bonuses. Faced with the rebellion over bonuses, Pfister walked out, saying he could take no more. Pfister was reinstated three days later after demands from players and FTF staff. Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
lost their opening game of the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, despite having taken the lead against South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
through a goal by Mohamed Kader
Mohamed Kader
Mohamed Abdel-Kader Coubadja-Touré is a Togolese football striker.-International career:A Togo international, he helped them reach the 2006 World Cup, their first World Cup ever. He further scored the team's first ever World Cup goal in a loss to South Korea. The goal was also Togo's only goal...
. In the second half, Jean-Paul Abalo
Jean-Paul Abalo
Jean-Paul Yaovi Dosseh Abalo is a former Togolese football defender, who last plays for Al-Merrikh in Sudan.-International career:He was the captain of the Togo national football team, and was called up to the 2006 World Cup...
was sent off after 55 minutes, and goals from Lee Chun-Soo
Lee Chun-Soo
Lee Chun-Soo is a football player from South Korea, who currently plays for Omiya Ardija. He was a key member of his national team during the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 Summer Olympics...
and Ahn Jung-Hwan
Ahn Jung-Hwan
Ahn Jung-Hwan is a South Korean football player. He made world headlines by scoring the winning golden goal for South Korea against Italy in the 2002 World Cup second round, sending South Korea into the quarterfinals.-Football career:After starting his professional career with K-League's Busan...
sealed a 2–1 defeat for Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
. Togo's next opponents in Group G were Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, with the match scheduled for the afternoon of 19 June. However, the Togo
Togo national football team
The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus...
squad threatened to refuse to fulfil the fixture and take strike action against unpaid bonuses. FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
negotiated with the squad on 17 June, persuading them to travel to Dortmund
Dortmund
Dortmund is a city in Germany. It is located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Its population of 585,045 makes it the 7th largest city in Germany and the 34th largest in the European Union....
in time to fulfil the fixture; goals from Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta
Tranquillo Barnetta
Tranquillo Barnetta is a Swiss footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen and the Swiss national team. He usually plays out wide as a winger but can also play in a more withdrawn role as a defensive midfielder....
resulted in a 2–0 defeat. Togo's final group game against France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
ended in 2–0 defeat.
Cameroon
On 27 October 2007, Pfister was appointed the manager of CameroonCameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
, succeeding 80 other candidates. He coached Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
in the 2008 African Cup of Nations
2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
, held in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. Two second half goals from Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o Fils is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala. He is also the current captain of the Cameroon national team.Eto'o trained at Kadji Sports Academy...
was not enough to win their opening game which finished 4-2 to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. Cameroon
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
picked themselves up four days later and beat Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
convincingly 5-1. In their final group game Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o Fils is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala. He is also the current captain of the Cameroon national team.Eto'o trained at Kadji Sports Academy...
again scored twice as Les Lions Indomptables
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
won 3-0. After finishing second to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in the group stages, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
progressed to the Quarter-finals where after a close encounter, they beat Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
3-2. Stéphane Mbia
Stéphane Mbia
Stéphane Mbia Etoundi is a Cameroonian football player who plays for French League 1 club Olympique Marseille.-Career:...
scored early in extra time to take the Indomptable Lions through to the Semi-finals. Alain N'Kong scored a 72nd minute winner for Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
in a 1-0 win over Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
in the Semi-finals, taking Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
to their sixth final of the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
. On 10 February 2008, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
took on defending champions Egypt in the Final in Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
. Egypt scored a 77th minute goal through Mohamed Aboutrika which would be enough to win the match and be crowned the champions of the 2008 African Cup of Nations
2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
. Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o Fils is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Russian team Anzhi Makhachkala. He is also the current captain of the Cameroon national team.Eto'o trained at Kadji Sports Academy...
was the tournaments highest scorer with 5 goals. Pfister stepped down from his role on 26 May 2009.
Managerial statistics
| Nat | Team | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | |||||||
 Rwanda |
Rwanda Rwanda national football team The Rwanda national football team, nicknamed Amavubi , is the national team of Rwanda and is controlled by the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Amateur... |
1972 | 1976 | |— | |||||||
 Burkina Faso |
Upper Volta Burkina Faso national football team The Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso... |
1976 | 1978 | |— | |||||||
 Senegal |
Senegal Senegal national football team The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football... |
1979 | 1982 | |— | |||||||
 Côte d'Ivoire |
Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire national football team The Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football... |
1982 | 1985 | |— | |||||||
 Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Zaire Congo DR national football team The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings... |
1985 | 1989 | |— | |||||||
 Ghana |
Ghana Ghana national football team The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association... |
1989 | 1995 | |— | |||||||
 Bangladesh |
Bangladesh Bangladesh national football team The Bangladesh national football team is the national team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup finals... |
1995 | 1997 | |— | |||||||
 Saudi Arabia |
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia national football team Saudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation... |
1997 | 1999 | |— | |||||||
 Egypt |
Al-Zamalek | 1999 | 2002 |
||||||||
 Tunisia |
CS Sfaxien | 2002 | 2004 |
||||||||
 Lebanon |
Nejmeh SC Nejmeh SC This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C..... |
2004 | 2005 |
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| Egypt |
El-Masry | 2005 | 2005 |
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 Togo |
Togo Togo national football team The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus... |
2006 | 2006 |
||||||||
 Sudan |
Al-Merrikh Al-Merrikh Al-Merreikh Sporting Club is a Sudanese football club based in Omdurman, Sudan. Their home stadium is Al Merreikh Stadium. Which is also known as The Red Castle. Al-Merreikh is one of the most ancient and strongest football club in Africa. El-Merreikh have been crowned with the Sudanese Premier... |
2006 | 2007 |
||||||||
 Cameroon |
Cameroon Cameroon national football team The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any... |
2007 | 2009 |
||||||||
 Trinidad and Tobago |
Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago national football team The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals... |
2011 | Present |
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| Total |
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Personal
Pfister gained his coaching certificates in Magglingen in the 1960s, and later studied further in CologneCologne
Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city , and is the largest city both in the Germany Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants.Cologne is located on both sides of the...
. Pfister is a UEFA Pro License
UEFA Pro License
The UEFA Pro Licence is a coaching licence from UEFA . The UEFA Pro Licence is the final coaching qualification available, and follows the completion of the UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences....
holder, has a Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
license for professional football coaching and is an Instructor for FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
and German Football Association
German Football Association
The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is...
professional football coaching courses.
In 2001, Pfister was awarded the Order of Merit
Order of Merit
The Order of Merit is a British dynastic order recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture...
of the Confederation of African Football
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
as well as a German Football Federation Honors Award.
In Ghana the slang "Rules with an Iron-Pfister" is often used to refer to his coaching style.
During his time in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, Pfister's fame transcended football. His unconventional style of wearing his trousers on the hip, rather than the waist, has become a fashion trend among the youth.
Commenting that Tony Yeboah
Tony Yeboah
Anthony "Tony" Yeboah is a Ghanaian former footballer most noted for his time at European clubs 1. FC Saarbrücken, Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds United and Hamburger SV during the 1990s...
's birthday can not be determined exactly, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
's then-manager Otto Pfister said: There's only one way to find out: saw his leg off and count the rings!
Teams as a player
- SC Viktoria 04 Köln (Germany, 1957–1958)
- VfL Köln 1899 (Germany, 1958–1959)
- FC ChiassoFC ChiassoFC Chiasso is a Swiss football club based in Chiasso. It was founded in 1905.Chiasso also played in the Italian first league between 1914 and 1923....
(Switzerland, 1959–1960) - FC GrenchenFC GrenchenFC Grenchen is a Swiss football club, based in Grenchen. They currently play in the 1. Liga, and play their matches at the Brühl Stadium.-History:FC Grenchen was founded in 1906...
(Switzerland, 1960–1961) - FC VaduzFC VaduzFC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
(Liechtenstein, 1961–1963)° - FC St. GallenFC St. GallenFootball Club St. Gallen 1879 is a Swiss football club based in St. Gallen. The club is currently playing in the 2011/12 Swiss Challenge League.-Brief history:...
(Switzerland, 1963–1966)° - FC Nordstern BaselFC Nordstern BaselFC Nordstern Basel is a football team from Basel, Switzerland.-Current squad:-Staff and board members:* Trainer: Ivo Guidantoni* Assistant Trainer: Franck Schwertz* Goalkeeper Coach: Lorenzo Giuffrida...
(Switzerland, 1966–1968)° - FC Moutier (Switzerland, 1968–1969)°
- FC Chur (Switzerland, 1969–1972)°
Teams as a manager
- 1972 - 1976: RwandaRwanda national football teamThe Rwanda national football team, nicknamed Amavubi , is the national team of Rwanda and is controlled by the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Amateur...
- 1976 - 1978: Upper VoltaBurkina Faso national football teamThe Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
(now: Burkina Faso) - 1979 - 1982: SenegalSenegal national football teamThe Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
- 1982 - 1985: Côte d'IvoireCôte d'Ivoire national football teamThe Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football...
- 1985 - 1989: ZaireCongo DR national football teamThe Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
- 1989 - 1995: GhanaGhana national football teamThe Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
- 1995 - 1997: BangladeshBangladesh national football teamThe Bangladesh national football team is the national team of Bangladesh controlled by the Bangladesh Football Federation. It is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has yet to qualify for the World Cup finals...
- 1997: Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia national football teamSaudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
- 1997 - 1998: Saudi-Arabia (Olympia squad)
- 1998 - 1999: Saudi-Arabia
- 1999 - 2002: Al-Zamalek (Egypt)
- 2002 - 2004: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia)
- 2004 - 2005: Nejmeh SCNejmeh SCThis article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
(Lebanon) - 2005: El-Masry (Egypt)
- 2006: TogoTogo national football teamThe Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus...
- 2006-2007: Al-MerrikhAl-MerrikhAl-Merreikh Sporting Club is a Sudanese football club based in Omdurman, Sudan. Their home stadium is Al Merreikh Stadium. Which is also known as The Red Castle. Al-Merreikh is one of the most ancient and strongest football club in Africa. El-Merreikh have been crowned with the Sudanese Premier...
(Sudan). - 2007-2009: CameroonCameroon national football teamThe Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
- 2011-present: Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago national football teamThe Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
Honours
- African Cup of NationsAfrican Cup of NationsThe Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
: Finalist with CameroonCameroon national football teamThe Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
in 2008 - Al-MerrikhAl-MerrikhAl-Merreikh Sporting Club is a Sudanese football club based in Omdurman, Sudan. Their home stadium is Al Merreikh Stadium. Which is also known as The Red Castle. Al-Merreikh is one of the most ancient and strongest football club in Africa. El-Merreikh have been crowned with the Sudanese Premier...
Sudanese Cup Winner 2007, Finalist of CAF Confederation CupCAF Confederation CupThe CAF Confederation Cup is an international club association football competition run by the Confederation of African Football.-Qualification:...
2007 - World Cup: Appearances: 20062006 FIFA World CupThe 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
with TogoTogo national football teamThe Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers The Togo national football team, nicknamed Les Eperviers (The Sparrow Hawks, is controlled by the Fédération Togolaise de Football.They played at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Their team bus... - Nejmeh SCNejmeh SCThis article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
: Lebanese Premier League 2004–05 Champion 2005, Lebanese Elite CupLebanese Elite CupThe Lebanese Elite Cup is a Lebanese cup competition played by the top-6 league finishers of the previous season.The competition was first played in 1996 and was contested by the top four of the league and the cup winners. It was known as the Super League Cup...
Champion 2004, 2005 AFC Cup Qualification 2005, Lebanese Super CupLebanese Super Cup-Winners:*1996 : Al-Ansar*1997 : Al-Ansar*1998 : Al-Ansar*1999 : Al-Ansar*2000 : Nejmeh*2002 : Nejmeh*2004 : Nejmeh*2008 : Al-Ahed*2009 : Nejmeh*2010 : Al-Ahed-External Links:...
Champion 2004 - CS Sfaxien: Tunisian League Cup Champion 2003, Arab Champions LeagueArab Champions LeagueThe Arab Champions League is a football tournament for clubs in the Arab world. It was inspired by the UEFA Champions League.The Arab Champions League was first known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, and established in 1982. In 2001, it merged with the Arab Cup Winners' Cup to form the new Prince...
Qualification 2003 - Al-Zamalek: League Cup Champion 2002, African Champions League Qualification 2002, FIFA Club World Championship Qualification 2002, African Cup Winners' CupAfrican Cup Winners' CupThe African Cup Winners' Cup was a football competition that started in 1975 and merged with the CAF Cup in 2004 to form the CAF Confederations Cup...
2000, Egyptian League Champion 2001-2002, Egypt Cup Champion 2001-2002, CAF Super CupCAF Super CupThe CAF Super Cup is an annual African association football competition contested between the winners of the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup. The competition was first held in 1993 and is organised by the Confederation of African Football...
final 2001-2002 - World Cup: Qualification with Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia national football teamSaudi Arabia national football team is the national team of Saudi Arabia and is controlled by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation...
in 1998, Arab Nations CupArab Nations CupThe Arab Cup of Nations , is a football competition held between Arab countries, the first edition where held in 1963 in Lebanon.-Winners:...
Winner in 1998, Finalist at the 1998 Gulf Cup of Nations1998 Gulf Cup of NationsThe 14th Gulf Cup of Nations was held in Bahrain, in October/November 1998.The tournament was won by Kuwait for the 9th timeIraq continued to be banned from the tournament because of invasion of Kuwait in 1990.-Tournament:...
in BahrainBahrain' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. FIFA Confederations CupFIFA Confederations CupThe FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships , along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, to bring the number of teams...
Appearances: 1997, - African Cup of NationsAfrican Cup of NationsThe Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
: Finalist: 1992 with GhanaGhana national football teamThe Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association... - AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
's Manager of the Year in 1992 - FIFA U-17 World Championship: Champion 1991 with GhanaGhana national football teamThe Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
- African Cup of NationsAfrican Cup of NationsThe Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
: Appearances: Zaire 1988 - U-19 African Cup of NationsAfrican Cup of NationsThe Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
: 1983 Champion with Côte d'IvoireCôte d'Ivoire national football teamThe Côte d'Ivoire National Football Team or Ivory Coast National Football Team, nicknamed Les Éléphants , represents Côte d'Ivoire in international football and is controlled by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football... - African Cup of NationsAfrican Cup of NationsThe Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
: Appearances: Upper VoltaBurkina Faso national football teamThe Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
(now: Burkina FasoBurkina Faso national football teamThe Burkina Faso national football team, nicknamed Les Etalons , is the national team of Burkina Faso and is controlled by the Fédération Burkinabé de Foot-Ball. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso...
) 1978