
LAGOS - Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was named African Footballer of the Year on Tuesday.
The Togo international beat Chelsea's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien and Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika in a poll of coaches and captains of African national teams by the Confederation of African Football.
It is the first major award for the lanky striker, recognised for his goals in the English Premier League and his role in helping Togo qualify for the last phase of the African qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.
Adebayor, who turns 25 later this month, scored 24 goals in the Premier League last season. He got four goals in three games for Togo in their World Cup qualifiers.
"I'm very happy to have received this award," he told a gala ceremony in Lagos.
"I'm highly honoured by what I have done in African football and now that the World Cup is coming close and is in Africa, we'll work hard to win the championship."
South Africa host the 2010 World Cup, for which Togo are seeking to qualify for a second successive tournament. They start the last phase of the qualifiers with a match against Cameroon next month.
Adebayor succeeded Frederic Kanoute of Mali as winner of the award, which last year earned unwanted notoriety when officials decided to give it only to players willing to attend the annual CAF awards ceremony.
It meant Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, the popular favourite, was unable to retain the award he won for his performances in 2006.
Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou, who also plays for Premier League Chelsea, was named African young player of the year.
wtf did adebayor do???
y no e'to?
essien is my best african footballer.
Originally posted by kopiosatu:wtf did adebayor do???
he clocked up more missed sitters than the rest of the others combined...
hell! he missed some goals where it was easier to score! ![]()
he doesn't deserve it even though i am a arsenal fan.he miss too much chances if not for van persie i dont think he will get even 10 goals
lolx Gratz
well where ETO'O n DGROBA?
at home
We have to be fair here... Base on last season's form... I think he deserve it.
Drogba and Eto were no where last season... Adebayor scored 24 goals in the premiership... Same as Torres. If Torres can get 3rd in European footballer of the year why Adebayor can't be top in Africa?
Originally posted by zocoss:We have to be fair here... Base on last season's form... I think he deserve it.
Drogba and Eto were no where last season... Adebayor scored 24 goals in the premiership... Same as Torres. If Torres can get 3rd in European footballer of the year why Adebayor can't be top in Africa?
Torres more assists and more humble and the fans like him and he's happy at liverpool and he does'nt have such a big mouth and TORRES IS BETTER LOOKING
so surprise, that Eto'o is not nominated
Originally posted by Chris88110:
Torres more assists and more humble and the fans like him and he's happy at liverpool and he does'nt have such a big mouth and TORRES IS BETTER LOOKING
Err... I don't think this is a comparison on who is more humble or good looking... And you very sure Torres got more assists ? You better double check the statistics again...
Torres look at him near where got good looking? His face... so many dots... Came across a song Chelsea fans sang about him when they play Pool... lol

According to Chelsea supporters, he is a Britney Spears look-alike
Lolx even Wigan Zaki also didnt tio
Zaki only becoming famous this season mah...
i see lots of STARS in the title ... yi san yi san liang jing jing ... ...
wtf ![]()
![]()
i tink joke of the year suits him well. ![]()
Originally posted by zocoss:Zaki only becoming famous this season mah...
Then Martin? ![]()
drogba is a sulk like anelka la.
this season heard alot of bad news about him and his attitude problem
how to be africa player of year.
Humph, i still say Torres looks better...........
Originally posted by Chris88110:Humph, i still say Torres looks better...........
But suai leh, Torres not African haiz

The Arsenal star beat off competition from Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Al Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika – dubbed the Egyptian Zinedine Zidane.
Togo hitman Adebayor, 24, was voted the continent's top player of 2008 in a poll of national team coaches.
He said: "I am very happy and very pleased. "My mum is here with me. Unfortunately my father is not alive anymore but I know that wherever he is, he will be very proud of me. 'I would love to dedicate this to my mum, because without her I cannot be here."
Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou was named Young Player of the Year in a category for footballers under the age of 23.
The Blues forward beat off competition from Stade Rennais midfielder Stephane Mbia and Inter Milan's Victor Obinna Nsofor.
think michael essien deserves the award more