Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor announced on Monday that he is quitting international football in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Togo team bus during January’s African Cup of Nations.
Two members of the Togo party were killed when gunmen opened fire as the squad made its way to Cabinda, an enclave of Angola, before the tournament began.
Togo withdrew from the competition, and were subsequently disqualified and suspended from the next two Cups of Nations by the Confederation of African Football.
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“Following the tragic events during January’s African Cup of Nations, in which two of my fellow countrymen were killed by terrorists in Angola, I have made the very difficult decision to retire from international football,” the 26-year-old said in a statement.
“I have weighed up my feelings in the weeks and months since the attack and I am still haunted by the events which I witnessed on that horrible afternoon on the Togo team bus.
“We were just footballers going to play a football match and represent our country, yet we were attacked by people who wanted to kill us all. It is a moment I will never forget and one I never want to experience again.
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The 2008 African Footballer of the Year, who scored 16 goals in 38 matches for his country, said that he had some very good memories of the nine years he played international football.
“For nine years I have played for the Togo team and, despite the events in Angola, I have some very good memories of my international career.
“I feel very proud to have been trusted with the position of captain of the Togolese football team.
Adebayor, who was born of Nigerian parents in Togo and could have also played for the Super Eagles, said that being captain for one’s country is the ultimate honour for any player.
“Togo have some very talented players and I dearly hope the players who remain will be able to put their memories of Angola behind them and go on to be a success for the nation.
“I have enormous belief in each and every one of them, players, coaches, staff and their families.
“The people who were on that coach together will forever be joined by a special bond — we are all brothers.
“I will always have the team and the people of Togo close to my heart and wish them every success in the challenges that they will face in the future.”