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Togo's England-based striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, says his national colleagues should not meddle in the appointment of coaches for their country.
Togo's England-based striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, says his national colleagues should not meddle in the appointment of coaches for their country.
A petition signed by many Togo, players last month was presented to the federation, rejecting the appointmenet of German Otto Pfister in the wake of the sacking of Stephen Keshi.
Keshi, the former Nigerian coach of the Hawks, earned the West African country an unexpected berth at this summer's World Cup finals, but a disastrous performance at the recent MTN African Nations Cup, where Keshi had a public fall-out with Adebayor, led to his sacking.
The petition wanted Keshi to be restored to his post but Adebayor, who was not part of it, says his national teammates should not interfere in national team coaching matters.
"I am not a part of the players demanding Keshi's return," Adebayor said.
"How can some players come together and decide they should tell the media that Keshi should not be sacked?
"If you are a player, you should remain a player and not to act as if you are the president of the federation.
"It was the federation that brought Keshi to Togo and not the players.
"If they decide to sack Keshi, it is their decision and not that of the players".
Adebayor says he will continue to honour international call-ups for Togo, even if Keshi is in charge.
"If Keshi is the coach of Togo and he calls me to play for Togo, I'll go but I will also do the same for any other coach that is in charge of the national team".