4-Nation Tourney: Ghana plays Togo

Host nation, Ghana would take to the field on Sunday in the Zenith Bank 4-Nation International Tournament with a tough game on the cards against rivals, Togo.

Both teams would play at the Ohene Djan stadium with either side looking for the win which would secure them a place in the finals of the mini tournament.

Despite Togo missing out for next year’s African Cup of Nations, Emmanuel Adebayor and teammates are putting the pain behind them as they rally to take on Ghana.

“There’s nothing important than an African player playing in the African Cup of Nations because it’s our tournament. For me, I was a bit disappointed because I would be watching all my friends playing on TV in January.

“We would like to be involved in Africa. But that’s part of the job and we have to keep on doing it and hopefully in 2010, we would do our best to qualify,” the Arsenal player told media on Saturday.

Now ahead of Sunday’s game, Ghana’s team for the game might look like a star-studded side but the lone ranger from the opposite side, Emmanuel Adebayor, says everyone would be doing his job and just wants to enjoy the game.

“Ï am not here to override anyone. I am here to play against Ghana and the first game for me is the more important thing.

“Michael Essien is a very good friend of mine and Sulley Muntari, I love him because he is a very good player, he is a kind person and gentleman and tomorrow we have a game against them.

“In football, your job is you job, that is how they see it and we see it to be. At the moment we just want to enjoy ourselves on the pitch and after we have a good discussion.

“I am not here to override someone. I am just here to play my football like how I want to play it,” Adebayor said.

The winner of Sunday’s game sets up a date with Benin in Wednesday’s finals for the $70,000 prize money while the loser goes for the 3rd and 4th positions.

The tourney would afford Ghana coach, Claude Le Roy, the chance to see his team play and react before an expectant home crowd before the African Cup of Nations kick off on January 20 - February 10.