English media confirmed that the Togolese team left to Zambia without the 24-year-old, ahead of Wednesday's crucial 2010 World Cup qualifier.

The Togo captain, who persuaded his teammates to boycott the flight, insisted he would only get on the plane if Togo Football Federation (TFF) president Tata Avlessi Adaglo joined in.

However, the TFF president did not make the journey as he was preparing for the burial of his mother.

"My life is very dear to me and, if we have to go down, we'll all go down together with the president," Adebayor told the Daily Express.

"There are rumors that, if we get on, the aircraft will go down."

Togo, who shockingly reached the 2006 World Cup, are currently third in Group 11, and a win in Zambia could see them jumping to first place.