Emmanuel Adebayor will confront his demons and play for Togo in January’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
And his decision means Tottenham will be forced to find a striker to cover his absence.
Adebayor, 28, was on the Togo team bus attacked by gunmen at the 2010 Cup of Nations in Angola, when three people died.
He quit international duty, but after assurances over safety returned, and last week scored one of the goals that secured Togo’s place in the 2013 finals from January 19 to February 10, with countries calling-up players 14 days before.
Adebayor said: “I’m very happy, because Togo are back. We now have a very good team that can be a threat. The entire nation has not rejoiced like this for a long time.
“Something new is just happening and I am glad to be part of it. Togo is back.”
Adebayor scored in a 3-2 aggregate play-off win over Gabon that secured Togo’s first appearance in the finals since 2010.
Spurs could potentially be without Adebayor for their Premier League games against QPR, Manchester United, Norwich, West Brom and Newcastle.
His hamstring injury – now recovered – has meant Tottenham have operated with just one striker in Jermain Defoe this season. But they will have to buy now.
They attempted to sign £20million-rated Leandro Damiao from Internacional during the summer and have scouted Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez, Valencia’s Brazil international Jonas and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha, 19.
Boss Andre Villas-Boas is also a big fan of Daniel Sturridge from the pair’s time together at Chelsea.
At least 20 Premier League players are eligible to play in the African finals.
Ivory Coast will call up Manchester City’s Yaya and Kolo Toure, Arsenal’s Gervinho and Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote.
Chelsea duo John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses will be away with Nigeria.
Source: DailyMirror
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