Ghana's Michael Essien missed out to the Caf African Player of the Year 2008 award, as Togolese Emmanuel Adebayor received the honour.

Essien, 26, had a formidable year for country, helping Ghana to third position at the African Nations Cup and also lending a hand in Chelsea’s first appearance in the finals of the UEFA Champions League but saw the Arsenal striker edging past him and Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutreika to the award.

The ceremony to celebrate the achievement of the African footballer in the past year was attended by FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter, UEFA President, Michael Platini, AFC President Mohamed Bin-Hamman, all who would partaking in the XXXI CAF General Assembly.

The Glo-Caf award gala decided by the votes of international coaches of the 53 national associations affiliated to CAF saw the Black Stars midfielder beating Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo and Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutreika, the two other shortlisted finalists to the award.

Michael Essien was making his fourth successive final appearance at the awards, after coming second in the 2007 honours and placing third in the 2005, 2006 African Footballer of the Year events.

Winners at the Glo-CAF Awards 2008

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

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