Thursday 10 March 2016 11:15, UK
Emmanuel Adebayor has turned down the chance to play for Togo in order to focus on Crystal Palace.
The 32-year-old joined Palace in January after 10 months away from professional football following his release from Tottenham.
Adebayor has scored once in seven appearances for Palace, who have suffered an alarming slump in form which has seen them slide from 6th to 15th in the Premier League.
Togo face Tunisia in an African Nations Cup qualifier on March 26, but Adebayor will not feature after rejecting a call-up from national coach Tom Saintfiet.
"I thank you for having me selected for the matches against Tunisia," the forward wrote on his official Facebook page. "However, I don't think this is the opportune moment.
"I just signed for a new team in London and I'm doing everything I can to be at 100 percent physically and mentally. I'm practicing very hard with Crystal Palace... (and) I do not wish to interrupt this training.
"I have to decline your offer to be part of the team for these games. I wish you a great success for these matches and I will follow as your biggest fan."
Adebayor last played for Togo in June 2015 and had not been picked since failing to turn up for an African Nations Cup qualifier against Djibouti in September.
However, Adebayor is likely to feature for Palace in their FA Cup quarter-final against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Friday as they attempt to book their place in the last four of the competition for the first time since 1995.
Palace are yet to win in the Premier League in 2016, but have claimed FA Cup wins over Southampton, Stoke and Tottenham.
