Togolese national player and Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor had been voted as the CAF African Player of the Year 2008 at the Awards Gala on Tuesday night in Lagos, Nigeria.
Adebayor, who celebrates his 25th birthday on February 26, beat Egypt/Al-Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutreika and Ghana/Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien to claim the prestigious individual honour in African football. Dressed in a local Nigerian wear, Adebayor walked to the dais to receive the award from CAF President Issa Hayatou who was ably supported by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter amidst cheers from the packed hall.
“I dedicate this award to my mother, who has supported me all my life. Unfortunately my father is not around (dead), but I believe wherever he is he must be proud of his son”, said the football star.
The coronation of Adebayor was the climax of the ceremony dominated by Egyptian winners. Six-tim Africa club champions, Al-Ahly won honors in three categories with midfield supreme Aboutreika leading the pack as the Inter-Clubs player of the Year. Ahly was also voted the best club, and their fans, the Supporters Club of the Year (Club division).The Egyptian national team, Pharaohs, claimed the National team of the Year whilst tactician, Hassan Shehata, picked the Coach of the Year prize.
Cote d’Ivoire forward Salomon Kalou grabbed the Young Player of the Year award and the national team, the Fair Play honour, with South Africa’s Alice Mattlou netting the Women’s Footballer of the Year award. Nigeria took consolation in the Best Supporters Club in the national team category.
Award winners
Glo-CAF Player of the Year
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
Inter-Club Player of the Year
Mohamed Aboutreika (Al-Ahly and Egypt)
National Team of the Year
Egypt
Club of the Year
Al-Ahly (Egypt)
Young Player of the Year
Salomon Kalou (Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire)
Women’s footballer of the year
Alice Mattlou (South Africa)
Coach of the Year
Hassan Shehata (Egypt national team)
Order of Merit Achievement
Roger Ouegnin, President of ASEC Mimosas Football Club, Farah Addo, and Orok Oyo
Fair Play Award
Cote d’Ivoire
Best Supporters Club (Club division)
Al-Ahly (Egypt)
Best Supporters Club (National teams division)
Nigeria Supporters Club
African Football Legend
Christian Chukwu (Nigeria)
Platinum Award
Umar Musa Yar’Adua, President of the Republic of Nigeria
