Adebayor 'going to African Nations Cup'

Togo claim Emmanuel Adebayor has changed his mind and will represent the country at the African Nations Cup.

Tottenham striker Adebayor said last year that he would not go to the tournament, which runs from January 19 to February 10 in South Africa, due to a row over team security and unpaid bonuses. But the 28-year-old appears to have had a change of heart, with reports in Africa suggesting the striker has flown to Ghana to meet up with the Hawks for their pre-tournament training camp.

"Of course we're in the African Nations Cup with Adebayor, we will be together in South Africa," head of the Togo Football Federation, Ameyi Gabriel, is reported to have told Radio Algeria International.

"It is very important to have him there because he is our player and captain of the team."

Although Adebayor has only scored three times for Spurs this year, his absence will be a big blow to the Londoners as their only other recognised striker is Jermain Defoe.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas has regularly claimed he does not need to add another striker to his squad in the January transfer window, but he has been linked with another bid for Internacional and Brazil forward Leandro Damiao in recent days.

It is unknown whether Adebayor will return to London for Saturday's home game against QPR or remain with Togo until the tournament begins.

Should Togo make the final of the competition, Adebayor will miss four Tottenham matches, although he will return early if, as expected, the team fail to make it out of a tough group that contains Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Algeria.