By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

Keshi wants to instil a professional attitude in Togo's national team

With Senegal, Zambia and Mali in their group for the 2006 World Cup and Cup of Nations qualifiers, few would give Togo's Hawks a decent chance of reaching the finals of either tournament.

But the task of achieving the near-impossible does not bother former Nigeria captain Stephen Keshi, who has taken charge of managing the West African side.

"I chose to come to Togo because they have a lot of good players.

"My ambition is to get them to the Cup of Nations in Egypt and even the World Cup," he told BBC Sport from Lome.

"I know getting to the World Cup is a big dream but you have to think of reaching the sky if you want to get anywhere.

"Senegal and Zambia are big names and don't forget that it took time for Mali to reach the level that they are at now.

"We will respect them but we are not going to play them with any fear," he said.

I just want to grow as a football coach Togo manager Stephen Keshi

Before Keshi signed a two-year deal to manage Togo - his first job in charge of any national side - the former Nigeria captain had a torrid time as assistant manager of Nigeria's Super Eagles.

Following their defeat to Senegal in the semi-final of the 2002 Cup of Nations in Mali, Keshi, manager Amodu Shaibu and fellow assistant coach Joe Erico were all sacked.

But he says his sour end with his country has not dampened his enthusiasm for management.

"What happened with Nigeria was in the past and I just want to move on.

"I just want to grow as a football coach and I am not in Togo to show people back home what they are missing by not having me."

Overshadowed by Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and the Ivory Coast - the footballing superpowers of the region - Keshi says instilling a sense of professionalism in the Togolese is vital to their chances of qualifying for the next Nations Cup.

"This is not a day's work or two month's work. It will take time."

Restoring enthusiasm

Rekindling the patriotism of the country's Europe-based players - key to any realistic chance of qualifying - is one of his major tasks.

Keshi says Salou is keen to play a role in Togo's revival

He admits that the presence of players like Bachirou Salou and Monaco's Sheyi Adebayor could tip the qualifying scales in their favour.

"There have been a lot of misunderstandings between the players and federation in the past. But this is typical in African football.

"But resolving all the issues is not something that I can do on the phone. I have to see them and sort things out."

One Togolese fan desperate to see the Hawks qualify for Egypt is Gnassingbe Eyadema, the country's president.

"Three days after reaching the country, he asked for me," Keshi recalled.

"He said that he would like to be in Egypt and said I should meet him if there is anything I need.

"I hope to make him smile by taking Togo to Egypt."