Adebayor backs Eagles, dismisses Elephants

Emmanuel Adebayor has tipped Nigeria to be the best-performing African nation at the World Cup after claiming Ivory Coast’s chances will be hampered by a lack of “togetherness”.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia, while ivory Coast have to face Colombia, Greece and Japan in Group C.

The Togo striker is confident the Super Eagles have the ability and cohesion to succeed in Brazil, thanks largely to the experience of coach Stephen Keshi.

Adebayor told the Daily Express, “Out of these teams, (my choice for which of the African teams will go the furthest) would be Nigeria because of their concentration. Because of Stephen Keshi – he knows a lot about football and everything. He has been there as well as a player for Nigeria.

“And they have got Victor Moses, who is a great friend of mine, and I like the way he plays. John Obi Mikel played a lot for Chelsea this year and showed how good he is. Their goalkeeper is very good. Nigeria have all the ingredients to be good in the World Cup.”

Adebayor was less complimentary about the Ivorians and believes the egos in their talented squad will hold them back.

He added: “I never trust them. They are the country that will always let you down. I know all of them from the bench to the manager. Sabri Lamouchi (their coach) is my very good friend.

“How come for the last four or five years have they not won the African Cup of Nations? They have got the best striker in Europe in Didier Drogba. They have got the best midfielder today, Yaya Toure. You’ve got one of the best strikers in the league today, the one that plays at Swansea, Wilfried Bony. You have all of those players.

“But the thing is, are they going to be collective enough? I don’t know. I am not an Ivorian. They will be talking, laughing and enjoying themselves but when the time comes, they will forget about their job.

“There’s no togetherness. Everyone wants to be the hero. Everybody wants to be the one to finish on a high so the folks remember them for what I have done, not for what we have done as a generation, nor for what we have done as team. Everyone wants to be like a hero and that is what is killing Ivory Coast.”

Algeria, Cameroon and Ghana make up the African contingent at the finals.