Togo’s new Coach Claude LeRoy said the Crystal palace striker, Emmanuel Adebayor is fully committed to the Les Eperviers after making an unexpected U-turn to play again for Togo in last month’s nil-nil draw in Lome against Tunisia in the African Cup Of Nations qualifiers.
The 32-year-old who had a chequered history with the national team and a stormy relationship with the former coach Tom Saintfiet initially, had initially rejected the call to the national side after posting a message on his Facebook page:
“I thank you for having me selected for the matches against Tunisia,” wrote Adebayor on his Facebook. “However, I don’t think this is the opportune moment.
“I just signed for a new team in London and I’m doing everything I can to be at 100 percent physically and mentally. I’m practicing very hard with Crystal Palace… (and) I do not wish to interrupt this training.
“I have to decline your offer to be part of the team for these games. I wish you a great success for these matches and I will follow as your biggest fan,” he added.
However, he made a bizarre U-turn to play in the 0-0 second leg draw for Togo against Tunisia in Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Lome, after missing the first leg in Tunisia, which they lost 1-0.
The result which ultimately end Tom Saintfiet tenure as coach early this month and he was replaced with well travelled French Coach Claude Leroy.
Since his arrival, LeRoy revealed he has had a chat with the team’s captain and the former Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham striker is fully committed to Togo.
Adebayor has quit Togo twice and often criticised the set-up but LeRoy is sure the striker is now happy.
“He wanted to retire but he told me that as soon as he heard I was coming to coach Togo he changed his mind,” LeRoy revealed to BBC Sport.
“I told him that I see him as a perfect captain and an example for all the players to try and build something strong for the next few years.”
The game against Tunisia last month was Adebayor’s first appearance for the national team since June and a significant U-turn for Togo as their talisman and team captain.
Togo are third in their Nations Cup qualification group with two games to play and only the winners are guaranteed a place at next year’s finals in Gabon.
And LeRoy, who was appointed coach on 5 April, has moved quickly to ensure Adebayor will remain part of the squad and give the team the best chance of success.
“He’s very happy and we had a very beautiful discussion together. I think for the next camp he will be the first at the training camp, I’m sure about that,” added LeRoy.
“I had a very strong relationship with him for a long, long time – before I ever knew that one day I’d be in charge of Togo.
“I consider him a top player and he has to prove to me on the field that he’s a top player.”
Frenchman LeRoy has admitted that Togo face a tough task to make it to Gabon but he believes the tournament does not represent Adebayor’s last chance to shine in the big stage.
“I was telling him that when I became coach of Cameroon, Roger Milla was 35 and nine years later Roger was playing in the World Cup in the United States,” LeRoy said.
“I told Emmanuel that he may not play on for another nine years, but maybe he can for two, three or four years.
“And if he makes a lot of sacrifices it’s possible for him to stay, or to come back, at the highest level.”
