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Tottenham confirm Adebayor will represent Togo at Africa Cup of Nations
9 Jan 2013 16:05:00
Spurs' 28-year-old striker has decided to come out of his self-imposed exile and represent his country, but hinted at a disagreement with Andre Villas-Boas over his decision
Tottenham have confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor has been called up to represent Togo at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.The 28-year-old had initially ruled himself out of the tournament due to fears over his safety and an ongoing row over player bonuses with the Togo FA.
But talks between Adebayor and Togo’s president Faure Gnassingbe have prompted a turnaround from the Spurs striker.
Adebayor’s u-turn leaves the north London club desperately short of options up front, with Jermain Defoe the only recognised striker, so Spurs have moved to sign Leandro Damiao from Internacional.
The ex-Arsenal forward will, however, still be available for Tottenham’s trip to Loftus Road to face QPR on Saturday, before travelling to South Africa to join up with the rest of the Togo squad next week.
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas had publically stated that he would not block Adebayor from taking part in the tournament, but the striker hinted at a disagreement with the Portuguese boss over his eventual decision to travel to South Africa.
“Yes, this is normal. In a club there is the coach, the fans and the president,” Adebayor told the Togolese Football Federation when asked about Villas-Boas publically promising not to stand in the striker’s way.
“So that’s what he told the press, but this is not what he told me. There is a difference between what is said face to face and what is said to the press.
“So I will go there and I will discuss it with Daniel Levy after I get back. No worries.”
Adebayor – who signed for Tottenham during the summer after a successful loan spell – was on board the Togo team bus when it was attacked in Angola in 2010, where three men were killed.
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