TOGO/FILE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Togolese fans disappointed after Emmanuel Adebayor decides to retire from playing for national team

Record ID: 722469

  • Title: TOGO/FILE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Togolese fans disappointed after Emmanuel Adebayor decides to retire from playing for national team
  • Date: 14th April 2010
  • Summary: LOME, TOGO (APRIL 13, 2010) (REUTERS) PEOPLE READING HEADLINES OF NEWSPAPERS, COVERING DECISION BY EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR TO QUIT TEAM
  • Embargoed: 29th April 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVADICGQOY5V4EYYG96PUTA838BL
  • Story Text: Togolese football fans reacted with surprise and disappointment on Tuesday (April 13) after hearing news that Manchester City and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor announced his retirement from international football.
    The 26-year-old was captain of the Togo team when their bus was ambushed at the African Nations Cup in January, killing two of its delegation.
    "Following the tragic events during January's African Nations Cup... I have made the very difficult decision to retire from international football," he said in a statement released on his Premier League club's website (www.mcfc.co.uk) on Monday (April 12).
    Adebayor said he had considered his feelings in the weeks and months since the attack, and was "still haunted" by what he witnessed that day.
    In Lome, football fans said they were shocked and hoped the football star would reconsider.
    "I am very shocked to hear this news. I personally pray that Adebayor can forget about this decision and return to play," said Charles Sani.
    "If he decides at least to take some time, I agree, but not for life because we Togolese love him very much," added Dieudonne Ayedegnon.
    Togo withdrew from the tournament without kicking a ball following the attack and were subsequently banned from the next two Nations Cups by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
    A Togolese assistant coach and a press officer died following the ambush in the northern Angolan province of Cabinda on Jan. 8 and prompted three days of national mourning.
    Some analysts say the national team needs its most successful football export to help in the efforts to turn CAF's decision and it wont be long until a team of politicians, fellow high profile African footballers and fans are sent to convince him to rethink his decision.
    Sports Journalist Jean-Marie Elo, however, says the team will recover from Adebayor's exit and be able to play without him.
    "There's nothing new in the case so he shouldn't have taken this decision but it's a personal decision and we ask ourselves whether Togo can play without him and what the consequences are for Togolese football. My humble opinion is that we can play without him," he said.
    Over nine years Adebayor made 38 appearances for Togo, who did not qualify for the World Cup in South Africa in June, scoring 16 goals.
    In 2008 he was named African Player of the Year.
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