- Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor made a grand entrance at the Accra Sports Stadium in his luxury car to show support for the Black Stars
- Adebayor, who represented Togo at the international level, shares deep ties with Ghana and nearly featured for the country’s youth teams
- The 41-year-old once revealed that a life-changing visit to a Ghanaian church played a key role in shaping his journey
Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, one of Africa’s most iconic strikers, made his way to the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday evening to support the Black Stars in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali.
The retired Togo international, who famously led the Hawks to their first and only World Cup appearance in 2006, was spotted in the stands as Ghana battled to a narrow 1-0 win.
Source: Instagram
Adebayor storms Ghana vs Mali match in BMW SUV
Alexander Djiku’s scrappy effort proved enough to secure victory for Otto Addo’s men, keeping them on top of Group I with 19 points from eight matches.
With two fixtures left, Ghana needs just one more win to almost guarantee qualification for the global showpiece.
Check Ghana’s group standings:
Fans celebrated the hard-fought triumph, but Adebayor’s presence added a unique spark to the night.
After the match, he was seen leaving the stadium and sliding into his luxurious BMW X7, a ride valued between GH₵ 1.3 million and GH₵ 3.1 million depending on the model.
Watch Adebayor’s time at the Accra Sports Stadium:
Social media lit up with reactions to both his presence and his luxury car.
One fan wrote:
“He realised Togo won’t qualify, so he’s running to support us. Welcome brother.”
Another joked:
“Like this guy for playing Black Stars.”
Others teased, claiming he had “nationalised” for Ghana.
Emmanuel Adebayor’s connection to Ghana
Born in Lomé to Nigerian parents, Adebayor’s football journey could have taken a different path.
In his youth, his leadership qualities stood out as he captained his school, district, and regional sides.
His talent even earned him a call-up to Ghana’s junior national team.
But his experience in camp was far from smooth. The dominant languages spoken were Twi and Ga, neither of which he understood, per Ghanasoccernet.
Source: Instagram
Struggling to communicate with teammates and coaches, he felt isolated. One morning, before anyone noticed, he quietly packed his belongings and boarded a bus back to Togo.
That decision changed his destiny. Adebayor went on to make his debut for Togo in 2000, becoming their all-time top scorer.
According to FIFA.com, his finest moment came in 2006 when he inspired the Hawks to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in history.
Watch Togo’s arrival in Germany for the 2006 World Cup:
Two years later, he was crowned African Player of the Year, cementing his reputation as one of the continent’s greatest forwards.
Although he never represented the Black Stars, his decision to choose Togo defined his career, but his connection to Ghana remains a fascinating “what if” in football history.
Ghanaian church transforms Adebayor’s life
Earlier, YEN.com.gh shared how Emmanuel Adebayor revealed that a visit to a Ghanaian church became a turning point that transformed his life.
That spiritual encounter ignited an unbreakable connection with football, eventually shaping him into one of the standout players of his generation.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
