Emmanuel Adebayor criticised for lack of discipline by new Togo coach ahead of Ghana friendly

The new Togo coach Tom Saintfiet has accused the captain Emmanuel Adebayorof a lack of discipline after he failed to join up with the squad on time ahead of their friendly against Ghana on Monday and their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next weekend.

“I saw him on Wednesday and Friday but he is not at the hotel,” the Belgian coach told a news conference in Lomé on Friday. “He is among the important players for the team but I cannot work with them when they are not in the squad. They should have the same discipline as others.”

Togo take on Liberia in Lomé on Sunday in a Group A fixture that marks the start of their qualifying campaign for the 2017 Nations Cup finals. Adebayor’s club, Tottenham, have given him compassionate leave twice last season to return to Africa to deal with an unusual family feud that the striker has discussed on social media.

Two other key Togo players, the goalkeeper Kossi Agassa from the French club Reims, and the midfielder Floyd Ayité from another French side, Bastia, had also not yet turned up for preparations, Saintfiet added.

“To me, discipline is very important in life. And that’s what I am already trying to impregnate in the team. Discipline is important both for the players, the staff, etc. Discipline is everything to me. All players must be proud to be selected and accept the rules. I want each player to know it’s special to be selected for his country.

“I have no problem with any player. Already I do not know everyone yet so I cannot begin to know who is who and who does what. Since we assembled on Sunday, I’m happy to have those who are there,” he added. Saintfiet was appointed last month as coach of the west African nation.