Afcon: I want to score goals, not show off – Adebayor

By Tony Ubani
Emmanuel Adebayor says he is not worried about making an impression at the African Cup of Nations. He just wants to score goals.

The Togo captain has shrugged off criticism that he has yet to dazzle at the event, saying that his focus is not to show off his skills but to help his team to advance. And so far, it’s going to plan.

The Tottenham striker scored his first goal of the tournament in a 2-0 win over Algeria on Saturday, a result that left Togo needing just a draw against Tunisia in their final Group D match on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Emmanuel Adebayor

“The most important thing is not to see the great Adebayor, but to see a goal-scoring Adebayor,” he said. “My mission is to score goals. If people think that they haven’t seen the great Adebayor, so be it.

I haven’t come here for fame and glory. I came here to win matches.”

Adebayor was Togo’s biggest threat in the opener against Ivory Coast but missed a few key opportunities to score and help avoid his team’s 2-1 loss.

One of his unlikely misses came less than three minutes into the match, when he failed to score from close range despite having only the goalkeeper to beat.

He wasn’t superb against in the second match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, but found the net after a breakaway in the 32nd minute, sending a low shot underneath the charging Algerian goalkeeper.

A late goal by teammate Dove Wome sealed a crucial victory.