Emmanuel Adebayor

Adebayor spearheads Togo charge

Unheralded Togo embark on their first ever World Cup appearance and will be led by their 22-year-old spearhead Emmanuel Adebayor as Germany provides the stage in 2006 for a footballing bonanza.

Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor (R) tries to dribble past Zambian Mishek Lungu 05 June 2005 at the Kegue stadium in the Togolese capital Lome during their Group 1 World Cup 2006 qualifying match. Togo beat Zambia 4-1. AFP PHOTO / Erick-Christian AHOUNOU

The giant centre-forward (1.90m) banged home 11 goals in qualifying to lead all African scorers, including a vital strike in the decisive match against Congo where a 3-2 win sent a nation into delirious celebrations.

It was this form that earned him a prestige transfer to London side Arsenal in January 2006, where he has settled well and though not a first choice to partner Thierry Henry, has aquitted himself very well when selected, including a goal on his debut.

"He is tall, good in the air and makes good runs. We are looking forward to him joining the squad when he returns from the African Nations Cup," said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger at the time.

However, a spat with then Togo coach Stephen Keshi, ended with their star player playing only a bit role at their disasterous 2006 African Nations Cup tournament which ended with a first round exit.

Keshi was fired. Adebayor though will be on hand for the World Cup and will no doubt be doubly hungry to prove his worth.

les joueurs de Metz, Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor (G) et Mamadou Niang (D), saluent les supporters après leur victoire, le 23 mai 2003 au stade Saint Symphorien de Metz, à l'issue de la rencontre Metz/Gueugnon comptant pour la 38e et dernière journée du championnat de France de football de L2. Metz accède à la L1.

He began his ascension to the world stage in humble surroundings with the youth team at Metz in France, wher he made his first team debut at just 17. Metz were relegated after the 2001-02 season with Adebayor featuring rarely. But the following season he helped the side to promotion as third placed side in the second division, scoring 13 goals despite his tender age. His starring role though earned him a glamour move to French south coast side Monaco, who were looking to bolster their attack with a Champions League campaign in prospect.

Monaco roller-coaster

Because of his tall, gangly physique, he drew comparisons with the great Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu who had made his name at Arsenal.

At Monaco, Congo star Shabani Nonda took him under his wing helping Adebayor to discover the serious side of being a professional footballer and his hard work began to polish off his already considerable shooting and dribbling skills.

Monaco's Togolese forward Shedi Adebayor (R) kicks the ball in front of Nantes's defender Pascal Delhommeau during their French l1 football match, 24 April 2004 at the Louis II stadium in Monaco. AFP PHOTO PASCAL GUYOT

The competition within Didier Deschamps' side was stiff and with the likes of Spaniard Fernando Morientes having a dazzling campaign, he played a backstage role during the team's drive to the Champions League final where they were beaten 3-0 by Porto.

While he struggled for goals in Europe, on the domestic front, he was a regular on the scoresheet, knocking home 8 goals.

In his second season with Monaco, with the absence of Morientes, who moved on to Liverpool via Real Madrid, he racked up 14 goals in all competitions although Monaco did not lift any silverware.