Adebayor seeks redemption in Transnistria
FORgOTTEN man Emmanuel Adebayor’s road to redemption could start in the most unlikely of places tonight, having travelled with Tottenham Hotspur to a country that cannot be found on many a map.
The communist state of Transnistria has its own currency, police, army and border guards, although remains unrecognised by any sovereign nations. To all intents and purposes, it is considered part of Moldova, whose football league Sheriff Tiraspol have won 11 times since 2000.
The team from the Transnistrian capital host Europa League favourites Tottenham this evening in a group K match Group A: Swansea v Kuban Krasnodar (8.05); Valencia v St Gallen (8.05) Group B: Chornomorets v Ludogorets (8.05); Dinamo Zagreb v PSV (8.05) Group C: IF Elfsborg v Esbjerg (8.05); SV Red Bull Salzburg v Standard Liege (8.05) Group D: Wigan v Rubin Kazan (8.05); Zulte-Waregem v Maribor (8.05) Group E: Fiorentina v Pandurii Targu-Jiu (8.05); Pacos Ferreira v Dnipro (8.05). Group F: Bordeaux v Apoel Nicosia (8.05); Eintracht Frankfurt v Maccabi Tel-Aviv (8.05). that could herald the return of Adebayor. Having failed to sell the striker in the summer, Spurs manager Andre VillasBoas ordered him to train with the club’s development squad and gave him time off following the death of his brother in Togo. Now back to fitness, Adebayor Group G: Dynamo Kiev v FC Thun (6.00); Genk v Rapid Vienna (6.00). Group H: Liberec v Sevilla (6.00); SC Freiburg v Estoril (6.00). Group I: Lyon v Rijeka (6.00); Real Betis v Guimaraes (6.00). Group J: Apollon Limassol v Lazio (6.00); Trabzonspor v Legia Warsaw (6.00). Group K: Anzhi Makhachkala v Tromso (5.00); FC Sheriff v Spurs (6.00). Group L: PAOK Salonika v Maccabi Haifa (6.00); Shakhtyor Karagandy v AZ (5.00). could make his first appearance of the season at the sold-out Stadionul Sheriff, where Aaron Lennon may start his first match after a foot injury.
Both have dropped down the pecking order at White Hart Lane, but Villas-Boas rejected the notion that they need to prove their worth. “He travelled,” Villas-Boas said of Adebayor. “There is a chance he could be involved, but I’m not sure if he’s starting or not. They don’t need opportunities or chances. They’re valued and they’re great quality players.”
Adebayor’s chances of starting against Sheriff are restricted somewhat by the inclusion of Roberto Soldado and Jermain Defoe, who is one goal off Martin Chivers’ European club record haul of 22.
Etienne Capoue, Danny Rose and Younes Kaboul were unable to travel to Eastern Europe as they step up their recovery from injury, while Kyle Walker and Paulinho have been rested after their international exertions, as has Andros Townsend. CHAMPIONS League night and Celtic’s Kris Commons was interested in the antics of some old foes. @kcommons15
“Juventus holding players in the penalty area..........never!! Same old”
The waterlogged Benfica farce tickled Andy Murray and Scotland stand-off Ruaridh Jackson. @andy_murray “Anyone watching the champs league on sky get the benfica game on for a minute! Comical stuff.. pitch is a disgrace!” @ruaridh_jackson “People should turn on the benfica game on the red button. It’s the big gest farce I’ve seen, waterlogged pitch makes for some comedy moments”
Charlie Adam was sad to see his old Blackpool boss part company with Crystal Palace. @charlie26adam “Gutted for Ollie. He will be back soon. Great manager helped me a lot.” But what was Twitter legend Joey Barton up to, I hear you ask? @Joey7barton “Off into London to find a leather jacket.”