Africa Cup of Nations

Emmanuel Adebayor: "I'm physically exhausted"

By Liam Power, Reporter | 05 February 2013

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor admits that he is "physically exhausted" following his participation for Togo in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has conceded that he feels physically drained following Togo's exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Adebayor could not stop his country suffering a quarter-final defeat to Burkino Faso in extra time last weekend.

The 29-year-old has insisted that he will make himself available for future Togo squads and help his country build a more secure infrastructure for the next generation if asked.

He told BBC Sport: "I'm still young, so whenever my country needs me I'll be up for it because I've started something and I have to finish it.

"We were stopped in the quarter-finals, maybe next time we'll be in the final and win it. So for me, it's never finished while I have the chance to win something. [The future] is looking good, with all the problems before coming to Afcon, and we've showed character, good face and showed we are a team that can play good football.

"I think I have done my best and physically I'm exhausted, but that's football. It's a tough one for all the players, for myself, for everyone, but life goes on."

Jermain Defoe has led the line for Spurs in the absence of Adebayor but suffered an injury in Sunday's 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has a shortage of fit strikers and is likely to call upon Adebayor for this weekend's fixture against Newcastle United.