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O captain, my captain

October 14th, 2008 | By: Brad | 11 Comments »

Another weekend of Togo football and like always, never a dull moment. Saturday’s key match against Swaziland was looking altogether like the last one in Zambia with captain Emanuel Adebayor again threatening to boycott as he continues his one-man campaign of calling out the Togo Football Federation for their lousy organization and management. This time however, Adebayor thankfully realized it was a better, stronger statement to show up for the game and support his country. Oh yeah, and scoring 4 goals along the way definitely helped. I’d recommend that if you want to threaten your countries football association by boycotting to make them realize your value to the team, you should probably make a lasting impact in the games you actually do show up for. Captain Emmanuel put his money where his mouth is and let his play on the field do the talking in a “see, I told you so” kind of performance in Accra.

When all was said and done, Les Eperviers had bagged 6 goals against an overwhelmed Swaziland side and cruised into the next round of qualification for South Africa 2010. Togo dominated from the outset with midfielder Moustapha Salifou scoring on a laser from 30 meters out in the 16th minute and before halftime had also received goals from Adebayor and fellow striker Adekanmi Olufade. Adebayor added goals in the 47th, 72nd, and 85th minutes respectively to round out the scoring.

There was a lot to be encouraged about from this result besides the obvious fact that Togo’s World Cup hopes are still alive. Not only did Adebayor show up (which is a huge victory in itself) but he took control of the game and did what a captain should. But also encouraging is the secondary scoring received from promising midfielder Salifou and striker Olufade. Having these players in form will go a long way in Togo’s success as it will take some of the opposing teams attention and focus away from the star of Togo football. Also, Kossi Agassa, starting keeper from Germany 2006, made his return after being sidelined from the previous game against Zambia by injury. Another item of note is Togo’s part-time captain, Dare Nibombe, was again the rock in the middle of the Togolese defense, coming off a recent announcement of a move to Romanian first division club CS Otopeni.

Now we wait for October 22, when the remaining 20 African countries will be split up into 5 groups of 4 to determine which 5 will join hosts South Africa in the 2010 World Cup. Togo is in pot 4 which will mean they will have some tough opposition to get past to make the dream of back-to-back World Cup appearances a reality.

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Comments

By shane | October 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

I can’t believe they let Adebayor wear the captain’s armband. Disgraceful in my opinion. Obviously he is the best player but his behavior does not warrant giving him the honor of being captain. Glad he showed up though. I’d very much like to see Togo make another go at the World Cup. I was rooting for them in Germany only to be disappointed by their implosion from the Nations Cup onwards.

By sscouser | October 16th, 2008 at 10:57 am

This is preposterous as it laughable. How can you reward a person for bad behaviour? It seems he will go unpunished. Ade showed up because he knew they were going to beat Lesotho. Am sure if Togo were playing against a stronger team and facing elimination he wouldn’t have shown up.

Posted from United States

By Brad | October 16th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

A couple things here, first, they played Swaziland not Lesotho and don’t you think it makes more sense that if he knew they would win he wouldn’t show up? Keeping in mind they did lose to Swaziland already this year so how would he “know” they were going to win anyways? They sure didn’t the first time around.

And second, it’s not fair to hammer Adebayor for “bad behaviour”. Why is no one calling for the federation to be punished for the “bad behaviour” they have shown? It seems like everyone is quick to judge Adebayor and say he’s being a “baby” or he’s “disgraceful” but think of why he’s doing what he’s doing. He is trying to improve the overall condition of Togolese football from the federation on out. Maybe it’s not his job, maybe he doesn’t always go about it the best way but let’s not forget we are talking about a 24-year old who is in the spotlight maybe earlier than his maturity level is prepared for. At least he’s using his influence and position to try and make things better. Sure he makes mistakes and I wish he wouldn’t boycott and abandon the team but I think his intentions are good. That is my opinion of course and you are entitled to yours.

All I’m saying is things are always going to be slanted a certain way in the media and I’m not going to be quick to judge Adebayor without knowing the whole story, because I see how messed up the Togolese football federation is and along with him, would like to see it changed and improved.

Posted from Canada

By sscouser | October 17th, 2008 at 11:01 am

Yes it was Swaziland not Lesotho. My bad. It was lapsus calami (slip of the “pen”).

Yes they lost to Swaziland the first time around. Could it be that Ade didn’t put in much effort because of his selfish reasons? Once upon a time there was an NBA player (super star) by the name of Kobe Bryant (The black Mamba). In high school he used to “let” the other team be in front by at least 20 points then towards the end of the game he would exert his will to win. His team would end up winning.

My name is Scouser and I do not approve this message:
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/emmanuel-adebayor-wins-award-for-biggest-asshole-alive.html

Posted from United States

By mabullets | October 17th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Why is sscouser writing negative comments against Adebayor? Ade is the most accomplished African player in the Premiership.

Posted from United States

By sscouser | October 17th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Pssssssssssssssst!!!!!!!!!!! Did I write negative comments against Adebayor? Am I the one who wrote “see, I told you so”

Gooners just chill. This is about Ade as a Togo player not as an Arsenal player.

Chaka chino kuli chapwa! chapwa!

Posted from United States

By Gooner for Life | October 17th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

Brad’s comments are spot on.It would have been a travesty for the officials to punish Ade when they are the ones who have pushed Togolese football to the inner depths of the stinking gutter. Ade’s concerns were for the good of Togolese football.I guess you remember that just before the WC2006 finals the Togolese players had threatened to boycott the tournament because they hadn’t been paid.Two years on those problems are still there. That is why as a senior player Ade had to step in. These officials have to clean their house first before they can start messing about with Ade.For your info, in Togo,Ade is more popular than the president.Sleep on that one!

Posted from United States

By Scouser | October 17th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

According to Ade, he decided to play the last game because: “This is a very important game for the future of football in my country and that’s why I have put aside my concerns”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1076304/Arsenal-star-Adebayor-reveals-reason-decision-play-Togo-again.html?ITO=1490

Then why didn’t you go to Zambia? Wasn’t the game against Zambia important? Anyway, Ade is a flip-flopper. http://www.oleole.com/blogs/arseblog/posts/adebayors-flip-flops-hleb-still-an-annoying-twat

Forget about all other reasons. Here is the main reason:
“Also, Arsenal are still playing in all four competitions so for me that has to come first.” http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=897717

He was worried about picking up injuries against Togo. What matters to him more than anything else is to end up as top goal scorer in the Premiership League. Injury = missed opportunity.

Posted from United States

By Scouser | October 17th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

Correction: He was worried about picking up injuries against Zambia.

errare humanum est (’to err is human’)

Posted from United States

By Brad | October 17th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

A couple more things. :)

First, I’m not sure of the connection Kobe Bryant in High School has with Adebayor. Football at the world level is much more of a team game and Togo didn’t lose to Swaziland because of Adebayor.

Second, I don’t understand how people get so worked up about Ade being a “flip-flopper” and how he changes his mind. Haven’t you ever changed your mind? I change my mind on things all the time. Ade is in the spotlight so everything he does is magnified. If the guy eats a huge bowl of ice cream in bed at night the world is going to know and make a fuss but I do that all the time and no one cares. Does that make him a worse person than me? No, it just means he’s in the spotlight and everything he does is going to be magnified for all to criticize.

Third, you’re stretching it to say his priority is to be the top goal scorer in the Premier League. He’s committed to Arsenal because that’s who pays his salary and that’s who at this point is showing committment to him. You can understand how he is torn between the country he loves and wants to play for but is horribly organized and fickle and the club that has believed in him and made him the top player that he is.

And fourth, it’s easy to pick and chose stand alone quotes and articles to support a negative feeling towards Ade but you have to look at the whole picture. Sure he says some stupid things and some of his thoughts he should definitely keep to himself but I believe he is really trying to do the right thing. For instance, have a read of this article: http://www.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=16140&Revision=en/0&Start=0

Posted from Canada

By sscouser | October 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

If Togo didn’t lose to Swaziland because of Ade then we are also safe to say that Togo didn’t beat Swaziland because of Ade. That means Ade is a non-factor and Togo can do without him. Therefore, he should be disciplined (suspended). My point about Kobe was that a star player can make you lose or win games.

There is nothing wrong with changing your mind. What’s wrong is for Ade to say something today but the next day he denies that he said it. I will not even go into details on that.

“Liars when they speak the truth are not believed”
Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC), from Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers

Yes Ade is committed to Arsenal because that’s who pays his salary and that’s who at this point is showing committment to him. However, that’s why FIFA set aside days for international matches so there shouldn’t be a conflict between club/country. Moneywise, what has Ade done for Togo? If my memory serves me well, George Weah used to foot the bill for the Liberia National Team. Ade just got a more than 200% pay raise. He should be able to at least buy an air ticket for himself. “And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” – John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963), Inaugural address, January 20, 1961

Son, I have a google alert on Ade. I have read all articles about Ade.
It’s not about the articles. It’s about Ade’s own sayings. So my conclusion about Ade was based solely on his won sayings.

Brad, I must admit that I like your discourse.

Posted from United States

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