Togo Head to Uganda for Crucial AFCON Qualifier Amid Adebayor’s Low-Key Arrival
Togo’s national football team departed early Thursday morning for Kampala ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2015 qualifier against Uganda. The match, scheduled for Saturday, marks the third round of Group E qualifiers — and a must-win for the Togolese Hawks, who have yet to secure a point in the campaign.
The team boarded a special chartered flight around 5 a.m. GMT without their captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, who opted to travel separately and arrived in the Ugandan capital the night before.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker, known for his star power across the continent, attempted to maintain a low profile during his arrival in Kampala. Donning a reggae-style hat and flanked by bodyguards, Adebayor landed at Entebbe Airport via Nairobi, Kenya. Despite his efforts to go unnoticed, local fans quickly identified him, prompting the striker to acknowledge them with a few hand gestures before being escorted away.
Confirmation of his arrival came via a post by teammate Serge Akakpo on social media. Adebayor is expected to rejoin the squad ahead of training sessions leading up to the match.
Saturday’s game against the Uganda Cranes carries significant weight for Togo. After back-to-back defeats in their opening matches, the Hawks are bottom of Group E and risk falling out of contention for qualification unless they can secure a positive result in Kampala.
The team will be relying heavily on experienced players like Adebayor to turn their campaign around. Coach Tchakala Tchanilé faces pressure to deliver, with fans hoping the presence of their talismanic captain can help inspire a revival.
Uganda, meanwhile, will be seeking to capitalize on home advantage. The Cranes currently sit higher in the standings and are eyeing a win to strengthen their own hopes of reaching the 2015 tournament in Morocco.
With both teams under pressure and a lively home crowd expected in Kampala, Saturday’s clash promises to be a pivotal fixture in Group E.