Adebayor Turns Down Togo Call-Up

Crystal Palace January
signing Emmanuel Adebayor has declined his call-up to the Togo national team ahead of their double header with Tunisia in Group A of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Back in competitive action with the Eagles in February, after a five-month exile from the game, the former Tottenham striker is still battling to return to full fitness and prefers to focus on his club’s survival in the Premier League.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for having me selected for the matches against Tunisia,” the 32-year-old wrote on his Facebook page.
“This would be an honor to play for my country. However, I don’t think this is the opportune moment. Indeed, as you probably know, I just signed for a new team in London and I’m doing everything I can to be at 100 % physically and mentally.
“I’m practising very hard with Crystal Palace [sic] in order to ensure the best results for the team during the rest of the season. And unfortunately I do not wish to interrupt this training because it would affect me physically and mentally. And 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.”
Lying top of their group following back-to-back victories over Liberia and Djibouti, the Sparrow Hawks will travel to Tunisia on 25 March before hosting the Carthage Eagles in Lomé four days later.