Emmanuel Adebayor, a football legend serving Togolese football ?
In Togo, former captain of the national football team, Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor, in a recent statement on RFI, has embodied an unparalleled patriotic spirit due to his deep connection with football. Despite tensions with some actors in the field, sometimes leading to his expulsion from the dressing rooms of the Kégué stadium, Adebayor remains driven by the ardent desire to contribute to his country.
Adebayor is considered among the legends of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He deeply feels the absence of the Togo Hawks in major continental competitions. This feeling combines with his profound willingness to contribute to the football of his country. But Adebayor wants to remain realistic: « I have decided not to be the coach of the Togo Hawks because I know my personality and the way I see and approach things ».
But Adebayor, who is « considered among the legends of the Confederation of African Football », is outraged by the fact that his country no longer participates in the competition. « It’s the 3rd consecutive time that it hasn’t participated in the Africa Cup of Nations and it’s not normal at all », he hinted. « When you’re a footballer, it’s in your soul. I started the journey with football and I played football all my life. I am now Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor thanks to football », he further clarified.
After the conclusion of the ongoing competition in Côte d’Ivoire, Adebayor stated that he would return to Togo to discuss with the authorities and work towards restoring his country’s place on the continental stage at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
For the legend, his impressive record, with 20 years of career and 5 participations in the AFCON as well as a World Cup, gives him undeniable credibility to advance Togolese football. However, he cannot ignore the precarious situation of Togolese football. « The situation my country is currently experiencing in football is very complicated », he observes again. The 2008 African Ballon d’Or winner rather envisages playing a role as an ambassador or mentor for young Togolese players.
