Adebayor backs Mohamed Salah to shine after move to Trabzonspor

Emmanuel Adebayor says Mohamed Salah can continue Africa’s proud footballing tradition and “shine” in Turkey after joining Trabzonspor.

The former Togo captain and Arsenal striker praised Salah’s move to the Turkish club, saying he believed the Egypt forward would thrive in the country’s competitive football environment.

“It is wonderful to see Mohamed Salah in Turkey and he will continue writing history for African football there,” Adebayor told Turkish website 61saat.

Adebayor pointed to the impact made by Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen during his two seasons with Galatasaray, while also drawing on his own experience of playing in Turkey and Didier Drogba’s career there.

“Osimhen gave a wonderful performance with Galatasaray for two seasons, and I played there too, as did Drogba,” he said. “The Turkish league does not receive the appreciation it deserves in Europe.”

Salah made his first appearance for Trabzonspor as a substitute in the opening round of the Turkish league season against Kasımpasa. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Adebayor believes the quality of the competition and the support around Turkish clubs will provide Salah with the right conditions to perform.

“The teams in the Turkish league have good players and the league is very competitive,” he added. “The evidence of that is that Turkish clubs have managed to achieve good results in Europe.”

He also said Salah would benefit from the size and passion of the support at his new club, and expressed confidence that the forward would adapt successfully.

“Salah will find a suitable environment for him in Turkey and will shine there thanks to the large fan base,” Adebayor said. “He will not lose his way at this stage, and I wish him success.”

The comments come after Salah’s first competitive involvement with Trabzonspor, following his move to the Turkish club. His debut came from the bench against Kasımpasa, with both sides taking a point from the opening fixture.

Adebayor’s assessment places Salah alongside a group of prominent African players who have made an impression in Turkey. He specifically cited Osimhen’s spell at Galatasaray and Drogba’s time in the country as examples of African footballers succeeding in the Turkish league.

The former Arsenal player’s wider point was that Turkish football should be taken more seriously in Europe. He argued that the strength of the league, the quality of its players and the performances of its clubs in European competition demonstrated its competitiveness.

For Salah, the immediate challenge will be to establish himself at Trabzonspor after beginning his time at the club with a substitute appearance. Adebayor, however, expects the Egyptian forward to make a significant impact and continue the contribution of African stars to Turkish football.