EMOTIONAL ... Adebyor wipes away tears as police swarm around Togo's team
EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR has revealed the real reason he will miss the African Nations Cup — and it is not about money.
The Tottenham striker launched a passionate defence of his decision to withdraw from the Togo squad for the tournament, which starts in South Africa next month.Adebayor, 28, is haunted by the horrific day three people were shot dead when the Togo team bus was ambushed by gunmen before the 2010 tournament in Angola.
And he still fears for his safety as his country’s FA is a shambles and have ignored numerous appeals to become more professional.
Togo officials claim that Adebayor is merely annoyed about bonus payments.
But the player, who has 54 caps, said: “I am hearing people saying I do not want to go to the African Nations Cup because of unpaid bonuses.
“I do not need a bonus from Togo — it is £1,000 per game.
“I would not refuse to play for my country over money. It is all about the organisation — or lack of it.
“I was on the bus in Angola when people died in front of me. I held them as they died.
“Even the government do not want to pay for the treatment for the people who survived. It is not right.
HORROR ... Adebayor is comforted by a team-mate as the news three people have died sinks in
“I said we needed a good organisation otherwise I was not going. Now we are going to South Africa and nothing has changed.
“South Africa is a good place but you never know what will happen so we need to be organised — but Togo will not be. That is why I am not going.”
Adebayor then gave an incredible insight to life playing for his country.
He said: “When I go back to play for Togo, most of the time they never even pay me back for the air fare.
“That does not matter. This is not about money as I am lucky to earn a good living. This is about the safety.
“I have paid for other players as well as they often go to an airport in another country to fly home but there is no ticket waiting for them.
“Or we go to a hotel for a game and no one has booked the rooms.
“Sometimes there are only 10 rooms booked for the entire travelling squad.
“There should be 20 rooms booked, not 10, so we have to pay the extra.
“We could be in a hotel where the toilets do not work.
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“Sometimes I have to take responsibility and I have even helped pay bonuses.
“In 2010, when we qualified, I doubled the bonuses, which cost me almost £60,000.
“I did this because I love to see my country up there.
“But you have to remember what happened that day in Angola.
AFTERMATH ... Adebayor talks with team-mates after the deadly ambush in Angola in 2010
“People wanted me dead. I was told I was the target.
“I retired from international football but people asked me to come back and use my experience — so I agreed. I kept telling the FA to get organised but they have not listened. I am glad we qualified again but I cannot risk everything.”
Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Adebayor added: “It is also unfair on our other players that travel around the world to play for Togo.
“Some of our team play in countries such as Afghanistan, so they should be paid for their travel.
“These players do not have money — and they have to pay £1,300 to get home to play.
“The FA never sort out the travel. If there is no money fine, we will try and sort it out.
“I grew up in Togo and I love the country.”
The tournament runs from January 19 to February 10 and Adebayor admitted there is a slim chance he could play — but guarantees must be made that Togo’s FA will act professionally.
He said: “There is only a five per cent chance I could go.
“There needs to be change. I am not putting my life at risk.
“As I said, I have seen people die in front of me.
“Also, in 2007, 20 Togo football officials died in a helicopter crash in Sierra Leone. Something has to change.
“Otherwise, I will stay in London with my family and carry on playing for Tottenham.
“This situation is up to other people, not me. And as I keep saying, it is not about money.”
