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Adebayor wins Africa award

11 Feb 2009 - 08:18:57

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Arsenal and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been named the 2008 Africa Player of the Year.

The 24-year-old beat off competition from Egypt's Mohamed Aboutrika and Michael Essien of Chelsea and Ghana to become the first Togolese recipient of the award.

Adebayor netted 31 goals in all competitions for the Gunners during 2008.

"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," he said.

"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.

"And I would like to say as well that we African people, we have to believe. As we know, (World Cup) 2010 is coming to Africa and we have to help each other as a family and as a unit we can do something.

"So we have to believe and if we believe we can achieve this."

Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou was named the Young Player of the Year.