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

Team Sheet
Goalkeeper
Carlos Idriss Kameni (Espanyol and Cameroon)
Defenders
Wael Gomaa (Al-Ahly and Egypt), Ismail Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille and Nigeria), Joseph Yobo (Everton and Nigeria), John Mensah (Olympique Lyon and Ghana)
Midfielders
Mohamed Aboutreika (Al-Ahly and Egypt), Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana), Yaya Toure (Barcelona and Cote d’Ivoire), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan and Ghana)
Strikers
Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona and Cameroon), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)

The competition, hosted by Right to Dream Academy, brings together six of the best under-15 football teams in the country to fight for the chance to become national champions. In June 2009, the winners will travel to the Netherlands and represent Ghana in a playoff against national champions from Egypt, Angola and Algeria in the Premier Cup Africa Qualifications. The Africa Champions will then proceed to the MUPC World Finals next summer.

Premier Cup is the biggest – and best – football tournament for under-15s in the world.  A chance for young footballers to live the dream of international football and prove they have what it takes to become the stars of the future. Premier Cup offers youngsters from grassroots teams – to some of the biggest football clubs on the planet – a chance to compete in a high quality competition against the very best of their peers.

Chelsea, and Ghana Black Stars’ Michael Essien, has wished the young footballers traveling to Dawu good luck, and he encouraged them to learn from the experience whilst showcasing their talents to the world. “Premier Cup is a fantastic opportunity for young Ghanaian footballers to see how they measure up against each other. To be a good player is one thing, but to realise your potential you have to challenge yourself by competing against the best and learning something from every encounter”.

“The chance to go on and play at an international level will give these boys an immediate focus for their hopes and ambitions and help raise global awareness of the amazing talent in Ghana – and across the whole of Africa.”, Essien added.

This will be the second time that a Ghanaian team has had the opportunity to represent Africa in the MUPC World Finals. Right to Dream Football Academy beat Egypt’s ENPPI at the first Africa Qualifications and went on to finish in 5th place in Manchester earlier this year, with wins over high profile clubs like Paris St Germain and Manchester United along the way.

In form Wigan striker Amr Zaki heads the list, but he is not the only Egyptian in the running as Al-Ahly’s Mohamed Aboutreika is also nominated and is the only African-based player in contention.

Chelsea duo, Didier Drogba – who won the award in 2006 – and Ghana’s Michael Essien are also up for the honor. Arsenal and Togo star Emmanuel Adebayor completes the list with the announcement due in December.

He follows in the footsteps of Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew and Chelsea’s Michael Essien as the third Ghanaian to lace up for Les Gones. Mensah, 25, has signed a five year contract at Stade Gerland and is looking forward to bettering his countrymen at the illustrious club. “These are major players, but I hope to do better than they did. It’s not going to be easy for me, but I’ll do my best. I’m looking forward to linking up with (new manager) Claude Puel who is one of the best managers in France and has a great future in the game.”

Yes, the Hollywood styled love affair between Ghanaian movie superstar Nadia Buari and Chelsea footballer, Michael Essien is alive and brewing. The couple may not be Posh and Beck but they have certainly received their share of media attention for their highly publicised relationship.

Contrary to recent publications that the two had gone their separate ways, the couple were recently spotted together fidgeting and holding hands during the Ghana Fashion Week. I have got the photos to prove it! Nothing says “we are still together” than this. LOL! According to the publications, friends of Michael Essien had hinted that the Chelsea and Ghana National Team player would soon walk his bride down the isle but categorically stated that it wouldn’t be Nadia walking on that isle.

In other Essien related stories, ex-girlfriend claims that the football star cheated on her 30 times whiles they were still dating. Perhaps the footballer is takes the term ‘player’ too serious. LOL!

Sevilla FC’s Malian international striker, Frederic Kanoute, in association with the United Nations Agency for Children (UNICEF), will sponsor a match at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville to raise funds to fight infant mortality in Africa. It will also raise money for a ‘children’s city’ in Bamako.

The players will include Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, and Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o.

Talk about a great match. It’s like a meeting of the titans! Should be a great game to watch, for a great cause. The game will be held on May 13, 2008.