Adebayor Declares Support For Eagles

Adebayor

•Adebayor on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, yesterday morning. Photo: Idowu Ogunleye.

Despite playing  for his adopted country’s team, the Hawks of Togo, beforing calling it quit with international football, Manchester City of England forward, Emmanuel Adebayor has said that he would be rooting for the Super Eagles at the South Africa 2010 World Cup, which kicks off next week.

•Adebayor on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, yesterday morning. Photo: Idowu Ogunleye.

The former, Arsenal FC of England striker gave this indication yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria, venue of a reception held for him by the Babatunde Raji Fashola, BRF, Academy. Adebayor said although he would not be participating at the Mundial but he would still be cheering the country of his birth, Nigeria to victory. The striker, who announced his retirement from international football after the Togolese national team were attacked on 8 January in Cabinda, Angola on their way to the last African Cup of Nations, said he would be the twelfth player for the coach Lars Lagerback-tutored side. He also urged Nigerians not to boo their darling team. Rather, they should support them even when they are not playing to their delight.

According to the former AS Monaco  goal poacher, “Nigeria is my real country, my parents are Nigerians only that my place of birth was Togo. I had some education in Ghana but I still love Nigeria that is why I would be supporting Nigeria, there is no other thing that I would be doing during the World Cup, so I would be supporting Nigeria and the other five countries representing the African continent.”

On the Super Eagles chances of clinching the coveted trophy, Adebayor said Nigeria is blessed with talented players but stressed that the time for preparation is too short, though with commitment on the part of the players they can still spring surprises.

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“I know Nigeria has good players that I have played with or against, the likes of Osaze Odenwingie, Obafemi Martins, Kanu Nwankwo and others, I believe they can do well but the administrators must also be up and doing. I also want to wish them the best,” he added.

He urged the team to listen to their coaches because they are at the helms of affairs and would know the best tactical approach in match situations. “I have played under 12 managers and they are like fathers to me. If the players can listen to the coaches, I see the teams representing Africa going all the way.”

The 25-year-old lanky forward said he believes in the ability of an African team to lift the senior World Cup holding on Africa’s soil for the first time but warned that if the attitude of the football administrators does not change,

—Adebobola Alawode

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