Adebayor Wins African Player of the Year Award

Congratulations to Togo and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor who today won the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) Player of the Year Award.

The Arsenal scoring machine won the award ahead of BBC African Footballer of the Year Mohamed Aboutrika of Egypt.

The award was decided by a poll of African national team coaches, and CAF's figures gave Adebayor 74 points to Aboutrika's 53.

Adebayor scored 24 goals in the English Premier League last season. He also scored four goals in three games for Togo in their World Cup qualifiers.

"I'm highly honored by what I have done in African football," said Adebayor at the awards ceremony in the Nigerian city of Lagos.

"Now that the World Cup is coming close and is in Africa, we'll work hard to win the championship."

Aboutrika won the Inter-Clubs Player of the Year award, for locally based players.

His club, Al Ahly, was voted Club of the Year, while African Cup of Nations winners Egypt won the National Team of the Year award and their coach Hassan Shehata was voted Coach of the Year.

MY POV: Great honor for the lanky striker. While I thought Aboutrika was the best African player this past year, one can't really argue Adebayor's merits. He had a sensational season and deserves the accolades.

Congratulations once again!

Arsenal Pain: Adebayor Will Miss Time

Things aren't going so well for Arsenal these days.

While they've struggled in their last three matches, Arsenal are still in 4th place in the Premier League.

But now word that striker and Togolese star Emmanuel Adebayor will miss three weeks with an ankle injury suffered in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Stoke.

The 24-year-old sustained the injury after a tackle from Ryan Shawcross.

The Stoke defender's challenge drew a furious response from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who accused the home side of overly aggressive tactics.

And Adebayor will now miss league games against Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and possibly Chelsea, who they play November 30.

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates strongly rejected Wenger's claims that his team played in a dirty manner.

"I'm sure that none of our players would deliberately go out to injure anyone," Coates said.

Fellow forward Theo Walcott was also injured in Saturday's defeat.

Adebayor has nine goals this season, five in the league, and is Arsenal's top scorer.

Get well soon, Emmanuel. The soccer world is poorer without you!

African Player of the Season

I found this interesting article on my goal.com mobile service.

I can't find it online, but you can click the above link and read the article anyways.

I think it's a fascinating look at 20 players around Europe of African descent who've shown their talent and set the continent ablaze!

Goal.com's African correspondent Awenlimobor Sylvester is wittling the list down from 20 to 5 later this week.

What do you think? Who is the African Player of the Season? Check out the article above and have your say ... Here's a sampling of what Sylvester has to say.

Emmanuel Adebayor Arsenal FC (England) Togo

The Togolese striker has undoubtedly been the main threat up front for the Gunners this season, scoring some “unbelievable” goals from truly “unbelievable” positions. He is the presently the second-highest goalscorer in the English Premiership with 24 strikes so far. Surely Adebayor has shown character and consistency despite being in an underachieving Arsenal team.

MY POV: I wouldn't say he's consistent, but then again 24 goals is nothing to sneeze at.

Didier Drogba Chelsea FC (England) Ivory Coast

The big Ivorian was able to silence his critics - Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez the biggest one of them - with killer influence in Chelsea’s 3-2 UEFA Champions League victory over Liverpool. In truth, “the Drog” has not been as prolific upfront for the Blues as he was last season, but he surely is still as lethal as ever. Just ask Rafa.
MY POV: I love the guy but he's proven to be hot and cold this season. A move away from England after this season will surely fire up his engines once again.

Taye Taiwo OLM Marseille (France) Nigeria

The 23 year old Nigerian stopper became a prominent figure in the Nigerian Soccer scene during the 2005 WYC held in the Netherlands, and has not let down his followers since then. He has shown his trademark consistency with his French club this season, helping his team to some important wins this season with his equally famous long range strikes and great headers.

MY POV: I'll be honest and say I don't know much about Taiwo. But he sure sounds like a good player ...

Frederic Kanoute Sevilla (Spain) Mali

The Sevilla front man is currently Africa’s reigning king according to CAF, and he is also presently Africa’s leading striker in the Primera Liga: a position he has held for the past two years. This season isn't his best, but he's still cutting a mean figure in Andalucía.
MY POV: Here's another guy I think would benefit from a move away from his current club. He's been rumored to be seeking a move back to his old club Tottenham. With the Spurs approach for Valencia striker David Villa rebuffed, maybe Kanoute could return a saviour.

Yaya Toure Barcelona (Spain) Ivory Coast

He is another of the few bright sparks that can be picked out from the Catalan giants' almost awful season. Toure has been a solid force in the middle of the team, helping out with several incisive tackles and putting through fantastic passes as well.

MY POV: Awful season? I guess that's what 3rd place in Spain and a Champions League semifinal berth gets you these days. Still, he has been a bright spot in an otherwise lackluster season. Much was expected of Barca. They delivered little. But awful??

Adebayor - Next Year is Our Year ... Or Maybe This Year??

Arsenal and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is many things - fashion icon, man of many hairstyles, lanky goal scorer.

He's also a sage who can see into the future.

Adebayor insists Arsenal will not finish empty-handed next season.

Arsene Wenger's troops have given themselves a mathematical, if highly improbable, chance of overtaking Manchester United and Chelsea following their 6-2 mauling of bottom-club Derby on Monday night.
MY POV: Highly doubtful ...

However, with just two games left, Arsenal face a four-point deficit and also an inferior goal-difference to leaders United.

For most of the season, it was the Gunners who set the pace, before their challenge fell apart following four straight draws and then defeat at Stamford Bridge, while also crashing out of the Champions League to Liverpool.

Adebayor came off the bench at Pride Park to net a second-half hat-trick - having also chalked up 3 goals against the outclassed Rams earlier in the campaign - which took his overall tally to 30.

While the 24-year-old accepts it would now take "something amazing" to see the Gunners come back to win the title at this late stage, the Arsenal striker maintains it will be a different story in 12 months' time.

"I am praying for a miracle now, but miracles do happen," Adebayor said.
MY POV: Not this season, my friend.

"We have put pressure on the top two and it is not too late for something amazing to happen.
Obviously we have to hope that Chelsea and United make mistakes at the weekend - but I can promise we will not make any."

Adebayor added: "We showed with our win we have character because it might have been easy just to look at the table and give up on trying to be champions - but that is not who we are. What was also important is that we sent out a message to our rivals that despite all the disappointments we have had in the past couple of months we are sticking together and showing that we are getting better and better.

"This season we may end up with nothing - but it will not look the same this time next year."

MY POV: Adebayor shows a maturity way above his years on the pitch. His grace and balance have helped Arsenal plenty of times during the season.
For his sake, I hope his promise comes true. I'd love to see the Gunners mount a late challenge and pip the two giants Manchester United and Chelsea (who could be meeting in Moscow May 21st in the Champions League final) to the Premier League title ...
If not, look out for Adebayor's Gunners next season ...

Adebayor: Don't Mess with Cup of Nations Schedule!

Finally, a player speaks up in DEFENSE of the African Cup of Nations being in January, smack in the middle of the European football season.

Arsenal and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is against it, saying a move to June could have major health implications for the players.

Two high profile African players died this year – Zambia striker Chaswe Nsofwa collapsed while training in Israel and Cameroon under-23 star Clement Atangana perished under similar circumstances in Vietnam.

Adebayor says many players from the continent could suffer similar consequences when the African Cup of Nations is played in the summer because it is very hot in most parts of the continent.

“Only this year we have seen two African players die on the pitch so playing during the summer could be very dangerous for us,” Adebayor said.

“We know of the deaths of Nsofwa and Atangana because they are big players but we don’t know how many young or unknown players have died in Africa this year.

“Those making these demands would have to think about this carefully if a mistake is made in making a change. We might have a disaster on our hands.”

Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for Arsenal), Adebayor won't be at next month's Cup of Nations. Togo didn't qualify for the finals and Emmanuel is not pleased.

“I am very sad that we could not qualify as I very much wanted to be part of this big event for us Africans because it is not only a football tournament.

“The Cup of Nations brings us together as people and in our continent where a lot of people are deprived, football makes people happy and even forget their problems, that’s why I really wanted to be part of it.

“Even as I will not be playing I will follow the tournament closely and use my time in here to help my club Arsenal to win the title.”

The lanky striker is one of five nominated for the African Player of the Year. He hopes to win the award as a way of forgetting about Togo's non-qualification.

“It is a tough line up for this year’s African Player of the Year award as Drogba, Essien, Kanoute, and Diarra have being in excellent form.

“But I know my performance for my country and club this year will help me to win the award.

“I have being in a very good shape for Arsenal and represented Africa in a positive way by helping my country in a very difficult qualifying group.

“I hope I can win the award and share the same platform with great players like Abedi Pele, George Weah, Samuel Eto’o, Kanu and Drogba who have all won this award in the past.”

Drogba Wants to Leave Chelsea

I've been away from the screen for the past few days, due to various reasons.

In the meantime, African football has been providing fans with saucy plotlines to follow.

First comes attacks on Mali players that followed the 2-0 away win over Togo in their decisive African Cup of Nations qualifier in Lome, Togo on Friday. The BBC reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is looking into the incidents. Today, the CAF said they will order an indefinite ban on Togo's Kegue stadium following attacks on Mali players after a key African Nations Cup qualifier last Friday. Further disciplinary action is to follow.

Then, FC Barcelona have asked their African stars to skip January's African Cup of Nations. Let's hope this request is emphatically turned down.

Next, the Confederation of African Football released their seedings for January's Cup of Nations in Ghana. The draw takes place tomorrow (come back and check out our analysis of the groups for the tournament). Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Ghana head the list of the 16 countries that have qualified for the African trophy.

But today's news is probably the biggest shocker, coming from Africa's best player.

Current African Footballer of the Year and Chelsea FC starlet Didier Drogba told a journalist he wants out from Chelsea.

"I want to leave Chelsea. Something is broken with the club," Drogba was quoted as telling France Football magazine due to be published on Friday.

However, the west London club were quick to dismiss the idea of a possible transfer.
"Didier Drogba signed a new four-year contract last year. As a top professional we are sure Didier is committed to Chelsea and intends to honour that contract," the club said on their Web site (www.chelseafc.com).

Drogba was one of the players most affected by Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho's departure last month.

The coach, who led Chelsea to back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006, along with two League Cups and the FA Cup, has been replaced by Israel's Avram Grant.

"I can't hide the fact that I've taken this whole business very badly, probably because I made the mistake of allowing too much of an emotional attachment in my relations with the coach," Drogba said.

"I can only say that I have been unpleasantly surprised by some people."

He added: "Ever since I arrived, I've been mulling a lot of things over, because I hadn't chosen my destination. My relations with Chelsea have always been bizarre."

"Right from the very first day, I wanted to leave. And every summer after that. But, despite that, I've stayed here for four seasons -- the best of my career."

Drogba, whose last comment indicated he would stay until the end of this season, added he would like to play either in Italy's Serie A or Spain's La Liga.

"I've got the impression that I have nothing else to prove here. I need to go and look somewhere else. I need new challenges and these two countries really attract me."

"I have made my decision. Nothing will hold me here. I know people are saying that Ronaldinho and Kaka will be here next season but it will not change my desire (to leave). I will not change my mind, probably because something has broken (in my relations) with Chelsea."

Drogba added that only five clubs attracted him: "AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid. And Marseille."

Mourinho spent 24 million pounds ($49.06 million) when he bought Drogba from Marseille in July 2004.

The striker took a while to settle before finding his form with a vengeance last season, scoring 33 goals for Chelsea, the most in the English Premiership.

Where will Drogba land? Will he change his mind? How will the Chelsea faithful react to the Ivorian's strong words? Will Chelsea management attempt to wash their hands of Drogba and sell him during the winter transfer period, when he's set to miss time due to the African Nations Cup?

All intriguing questions ...

Last Licks on Road to Ghana 2008

This is it!

We wind down qualification for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana this weekend with the final games in Groups Two and Nine.

Reigning champions Egypt are favorites for one of the places, as they need only to avoid defeat at home to Botswana on Saturday.

Egypt will be without injured duo Mido and Mohamed Barakat for the match against Botswana but have Hamburg striker Mohamed Zidan back after he missed their last match in Burundi.

A shock win for Botswana could put them through to their first Nations Cup finals appearance but only if Burundi fail to win in Mauritania in the other Group Two match in Nouakchott on Saturday.

Wins for Burundi and Botswana would see the two teams finish top of the group tied on 10 points each and equal on head-to-head record meaning that goal difference will come into play. Could get very interesting indeed.

Over to Group Nine, where there's a three-way race for the qualifying berth. Just a point separates Mali, Togo and Benin.

All three can win top place and qualify. Benin could finish second and still go through to the finals as one of the best runners-up.

Mali and Togo are both on nine points, although Mali will finish above Togo on a head-to-head count if there is a draw in Friday's match between the two in Lome.

But a draw in that game could allow unheralded Benin to come from behind and win the group.

Benin, with eight points, are away to Sierra Leone and a win for the Squirrels (gotta love that nickname) on Friday will guarantee their place in the finals.

The Squirrels warmed up for and promoted their qualifier with a 2-2 draw in a 30 minute game against a team of ministers and officials on Tuesday.

Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi scored a final-minute penalty for his team of ministers and officials to force the draw. (I wonder if the referee was paid off to give him the penalty ...)

"It is to bring about the presence of my country in Ghana 2008 that I scored that goal," Yayi said after stroking home the penalty.

Togo are expected to have Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor back for his first run in the team since March.

Adebayor is still saying he's owed bonus payments after Togo's qualification for last year's World Cup finals. He boycotted recent matches.

But Adebayor told officials he would make himself available for the game.

His return has prompted Mali coach Jean Francois Jodar to say, "We should not fear Adebayor because if we tremble because of him then what will happen if we face the likes of (Didier) Drogba, (Samuel) Eto'o and others in the Nations Cup finals."

Mali are at full strength for the match with Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute leading their attack.

One team not in action this weekend but who will have a very close eye on the action in Group Nine will be Uganda, who are still hopeful of qualifying as one of the best runners-up if results go their way.

It's going to be an exciting finish to the qualifiers. Make sure to catch them if you can!

And on we go to Ghana 2008 ...

Adebayor Speaks

Emmanuel Adebayor has quickly filled the shoes of the departed French international Thierry Henry at Arsenal.

The Togolese striker has scored five goals in his last two games and is maturing at a rapid rate. He's one of Africa's brightest young talents and may feature at next year's African Cup of Nations, if his differences with the Togolese football federation can be resolved.

Here, an interview conducted by ESPN's Soccernet.com website and writer Bruno Salla. To read the original piece, please click here!

Q. Arsenal have been the target of many critics during the off season but now lead the Premier League with 16 points. Is this revenge for the team?

A. No it's not. We are just very happy. At the start of the season, people wouldn't give us a chance to finish ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. We accepted it, but we really wanted to show those people that they were wrong.

We have a very talented team, that plays attractive football and which can win a trophy this season. Predictions don't interest me much, in May we will see who will be Champions.

Q. One of the main differences with last season is that Arsenal are competitive at home, impressive I should even say. What has changed?

A. The confidence. It is getting better and better each day, as last season we were struggling on the pitch due a lack of confidence. We started the championship with two or three draws and it affected us. We didn't know what to do, we were not playing intelligently. So far this season, the team is playing without pressure, just focusing on its football and with confidence. It is a good thing for the players and the coach. We are happy all together; we always try to go forward on the pitch with the desire to win.

Q. Does this make Arsenal a serious contender for the title this season?

A. It is too early to say that. The road is still very long. We just want to keep on improving and going one step further each game. We are playing very well currently and we learn a lot. Everybody has seen how mature we have been so far and now each player knows how to play for 90 minutes. Even when we are behind, we don't panic. We have to keep this dynamic. We control the ball, that makes everything easier and makes it more difficult for our opponents.

Q. When Thierry Henry left, it's fair to say some of the players and fans were expecting the worst. Were you also worried?

A. When Thierry left, I guess many players, like me, had doubts. Thierry was very important for the team and the club. He was carrying all the pressure on his shoulders when the team wasn't playing well, although he wasn't responsible for it he was the one that was criticised. And he was OK with that. He didn't complain. This season, there is no star in the changing room, if there's something wrong the whole team is criticised and not only one man. We are all in the same boat.

Q. Did you fear that Arsène Wenger would not extend his contract?

A. Yes. If he also left, then we would have been knocked out, like a hammer to the head. He stayed and that is great news, a relief. He is doing an excellent job.

Q. When talking about Henry's successor, people pointed out Robin Van Persie and Eduardo but not yourself. Did that upset you?

A. It's just part of a footballer's life I guess. You have to give the people the freedom to judge. And for most of them, it is still Robin or Eduardo, there's nothing I can say about that. I can only play well and we will see the outcome at the end of the season. Then we will see who has replaced Thierry. It is useless to say 'It's me' or 'It's him'. The squad is young; we are willing to win trophies together and not to think about who is going to be the new Thierry.

I don't ask myself too many questions, I'm focussed on the pleasure I can get from playing on the field. Against Tottenham, for example, I scored a beautiful goal and I was very happy afterwards. But gaining the three points for the team was the most important thing and we also achieved that.

Q. Are you back in your best shape after the injury troubles you have been through over the summer?

A. I was feeling really well physically and mentally before my injury in Austria. That was really hard to accept and to live with at the start. It really affected me. I knew I would miss the first two or thee games of the season and there's nothing more important than the summer's preparation. But now I'm back and I'm playing. I can't play three games a week yet as I'm not at 100% - perhaps only 80% I'd say. It will take some time but I will get there.

Q. Since the World Cup in Germany, you have been refusing to play with the Togolese team. What's going on and will you change your mind?

A. There were many controversies surrounding the bonus issue. The problems are still there and though we are trying to solve it will take time. When you are African you have to learn to handle these things (laugh). We have a very important game at home against Mali in October and we have to concentrate on winning to qualify for the African Nations Cup.

Africans in the English Premiership

The world's most popular league gets back into gear tomorrow when The English Premiership starts play with matches around the country. The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal begin their quest for the championship of England and glory in Europe.

As you know, many of the best African footballers ply their trade in England. We all know about Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Kolo Toure. How about some of the other rising stars of African football?

Graeme Jackson of the fine African football website MTN Football presents an in-depth look at the best African footballers in the Premiership this season. Let's see what he has to say about some of the African players not named Drogba or Toure. It's a lengthy list, so only a few players are listed here. To read Jackson's full article, please click here!


ARSENAL

Emmanuel Adebayor

Nationality: Togo
Born: 26/02/1984
Position: Forward
Squad No: 25

With Thierry Henry having departed for Barcelona, Emmanuel Adebayor will be expected to establish himself as one of Arsenal’s leading forwards. He will have tough competition, though, with new signing Eduardo Da Silva and the prodigiously talented Robin van Persie standing in his way. But the Togo international has enough skill to be as big a hit in North London as his childhood hero Nwankwo Kanu was.

BIRMINGHAM CITY

Medhi Nafti

Nationality: Tunisia
Born: 28/11/1978
Position: Midfielder
Squad No: 12

A MTN Africa Cup of Nations winner from 2004, Medhi Nafti played a prominent role in helping Birmingham gain promotion from the Championship. The combative midfielder’s game is well suited to the hurly-burly action of the Premiership and he will be an important player as the Blues look to consolidate their place in the top flight.

BLACKBURN ROVERS

Aaron Mokoena

Nationality: South Africa
Born: 25/11/1980
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Squad No: 15



The aggressive and committed Aaron Mokoena (right) is equally comfortable in the heart of defence or as a defensive midfielder, where he has played most of his football for Rovers. The former Ajax Amsterdam hard-man’s versatility and strength make him a prefect fit for the English game and, as Arjen Robben (who had his ankle broken by Mokoena in a rough tackle two years ago) will tell you, he takes no prisoners.

BOLTON WANDERERS

Abdoulaye Meite

Nationality: Cote d’Ivoire
Born: 06/10/1980
Position: Defender
Squad No: 5

Voted the club’s best newcomer at the end of last season after making more than 40 appearances in his debut season at Bolton, Cote d’Ivoire international defender Abdoulaye Meite is now a leading player at the Reebok Stadium. His experience, both at international level and with Marseille in Europe, will be important for a Bolton team who will balance the Premiership and UEFA Cup commitments.

EVERTON

Joseph Yobo

Nationality: Nigeria
Born: 06/09/1980
Position: Defender
Squad No: 4

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo has become the foundation upon which coach David Moyes has built an effective and efficient Toffees team. Everton’s Young Player of the Year for 2003/04 has grown into a defender of rare vision and skill, all while retaining his characteristic strength and speed. This season he will hope to further enhance his reputation as one of England’s best defenders.

LIVERPOOL

Mohamed Sissoko

Nationality: Mali
Born: 22/01/1985
Position: Midfield
Squad No: 22

Mali international Momo Sissoko was a favourite of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez from his spell with Valencia and the Spaniard’s faith in the midfielder has been rewarded since signing him for the Reds in mid-2005. The hard-working, no no-nonsense Sissoko has been a reliable option in the middle of the park, but he faces stiff competition from Argentinean Javier Mascherano for the anchor role.

READING

Ibrahim Sonko

Nationality: Senegal
Born: 22/01/1981
Position: Defender
Squad No: 5

Ibrahima Sonko has yet to officially commit his international future to Senegal, having played in nothing more than an unofficial friendly for the country, but it seems he will become a fully fledged international for the West African country in the not too distant future. The defender enjoyed a solid 2006/07 season, as did most of Reading’s players, and he will hope to continue his good form this campaign.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Benoît Assou-Ekotto

Nationality: Cameroon
Born: 24/03/1984
Position: Defender
Squad No: 32

Young Cameroonian left back Benoît Assou-Ekotto (left) joined Spurs in June 2006 from Lens. He made 24 appearances last season and looked a promising prospect before injury cut his campaign short. He will hope to build on his strong showings and establish himself this year.