11 February,2009 08:45 AM IST | | Agencies
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor was crowned 2008 Africa Player of the Year at a glittering Glo-CAF Awards ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria yesterday.
The Arsenal frontman beat off strong competition from Egypt playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika and midfielder Michael Essien of Ghana for the Confederation of African Football's top prize.
He becomes the first player from his country to win the award, which comes on the back of a successful 12 months for himself, rather than his English Premier League team, who failed to win any silverware last season.
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The 24-year-old, the Togolese Player of the Year for the past four seasons, netted 31 goals for the Gunners during 2008, including a run of scoring in eight consecutive games from January to mid-February.
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He said: "As you know, tonight is a special night for me. I am very honoured to be here with you, especially in Lagos. I am very happy and very pleased.
