Emmanuel Adebayor
Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor has threatened to withdraw from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations because of the side’s poor preparation for the tournament.
Adebayor, the key component in Togo’s qualification for January’s competition in South Africa, says he would consider staying with his English club Tottenham during the competition.
Togo have been drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ to face Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia in Durban but the lanky striker is unhappy with the federation over preparation.
Adebayor says the lack of good preparation for the tournament in South Africa will hamper their chances of making an impact in Africa’s flagship football competition.
“We might as well stay with our clubs if we have to make all these efforts to qualify just to make poor showing in South Africa next January,” Adebayor told Radio Frequence 1.
“As I am talking to you, I have no idea what is planned for our preparation and our stay in Durban.”
The Tottenham forward scored one of the goals which gave Togo a 3-2 aggregate victory in a play-off against Gabon and secured their place at the African Cup of Nations in January.
Adebayor’s appearance in South Africa will be the climax of a big turnaround in his international career, given that he retired in 2010.
The 28-year-old was involved when the Togo team bus was fired upon on to the way to the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, when three people were killed.
He retired from international duty four months later, but agreed to play for his country again in November 2011 after assurances from the Togo Football Federation regarding safety.
Togo have been drawn in Group D of the tournament which will be held between January 19 and February 10.