Arsenal prolific striker and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor was on Tuesday named 2008 African footballer of the year.
The elaborate and elegant ceremony held at the beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria was graced by FIFA President, host continent President Issa Hayatou.
Adebayor scored 74 points to beat BBC African footballer of the year. Al-Ahly of Egypt play maker and Pharaoh’s Mohammed Aboutrika and Michael Essein of Chelsea. Adebayor‘s 30 strikes in 49 matches helped the coaches in the continent to swing the pendulum his way thus crowning him the continent’s best player with a cash prize of US$20,000.
Adebayor in receiving the award the first by any Togolese “This is a special night for me, I dedicate this award to my mom, without her, I would have been nothing. My father is no more but wherever he is, he will be proud of me," said Adebayor. "The 2010 World Cup will be in Africa for the first time and we as Africans can achieve a lot if we believe."
Aboutrika the uncrowned continent footballer of the year went home with what is seen by many as a consolation, the Inter- Clubs player of the Year award, an award for those playing their trade within the continent.
His club Ah-Ahly and national team won the club of the year and national team year respectively.
CAF Player of the Year: Emmanuel Adebayor - Togo/Arsenal
CAF Young Player: Salomon Kalou - Ivory Coast/Chelsea
CAF Female Player: Alice Matlou - South Africa
National Team of the Year:Egypt
Coach of the Year: Hassan Shehata - Egypt
Best Club: Al-Ahly - Egypt
Inter-Club Player of the Year: Mohamed Aboutrika - Al Ahly
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