Togo triumph in Djibouti without Adebayor

Adebayor, who Tottenham Hotspur are trying to off-load, ignored a national team call-up three months after Belgium-born coach Tom Saintfiet stripped him of the captaincy before a matchday 1 game.

The temperamental 31-year-old striker scored in a 2-1 home victory over Liberia after skipping most of the preparations in Lome.

New skipper and defender Serge Akakpo put the Sparrow Hawks ahead after three minutes at Stade du Ville in Horn of Africa city Djibouti.

Another Turkey-based Togolese striker Jonathan Ayite, scored the second goal two minutes before half-time.

Tunisia, who trounced Djibouti 8-1 last June, will replace Togo at the top of the table on goal difference if they defeat Liberia in Monrovia Saturday.