Emmanuel Adebayor feared he would never play for Manchester City again at the height of the terrorist attack in Angola that resulted in three of Togo's African Nations Cup party being killed.
The striker will never forget the chilling experience in Cabinda at the beginning of last month, which brought a traumatic conclusion to what was supposed to be one of the most exciting experiences of Adebayor's life. And, after dedicating his opener in Sunday's 2-0 win over Portsmouth to the friends he lost, Adebayor admitted he feared his own life was about to come to a brutal end.
"At one point I didn't think I would ever see City's stadium and the fans again," he told www.mcfc.co.uk. "I have been through a difficult moment in my life. I am glad that these terrible moments are behind me."
City remained in regular contact with Adebayor once the full scale of the horror became known.
Despite his importance to the Blues squad, manager Roberto Mancini refused to exert any pressure on the former Arsenal man to return to Manchester.
Even when Adebayor returned to City's Carrington training complex he trained for nearly a week before being named as a substitute for the Carling Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old might not have been able to do anything to alter the course of that tie but, latching onto Stephen Ireland's lofted pass, Adebayor had found his range by yesterday and proved it by smashing home his first goal in nearly two months.
"It is good to be home and back on the football pitch," said the 25-year-old. "Through all the difficulties the fans were there with me, calling my name and sending me messages of support. I was very moved by that.
"The club did everything they could for me too. They checked I was okay and gave me time before coming back.
"The most important things are the relationship between the players and the club and the players and the fans. Here, I feel I have a good relationship with both. The people who work at City and watch City have faith in my ability and faith in what I am doing."
Source: PA
