Adebayor wins Africa's top football award for 2008

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo was named Africa player of 2008 on Tuesday. Adebayor, 24, beat out finalists Michael Essien and Mohamed Aboutrika in a vote of Africa's 53 national coaches.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo was named Africa player of 2008 on Tuesday.

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Adebayor, 24, beat out finalists Michael Essien, the Ghana and Chelsea midfielder, and Mohamed Aboutrika, the Egypt and Al Ahly midfielder in a vote of Africa's 53 national coaches. Adebayor scored 30 goals in all competitions for Arsenal, and led Togo to the final Africa qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup, and the Africa Cup of Nations.

He's the first player from Togo to win the honor in the award's 38-year history.