LAGOS: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) picked Egypt coach, Hassan Shehata as Africa s Coach of the Year, and the team he led to successfully defend the Nations Cup in Accra last year were picked as the best national team on the continent. Ahly were crowned Club of the Year ahead of Tunisia s CS Sfaxien, who defended the CAF Confederation Cup, and beaten CAF Champions League finalists, Cotonsport from Cameroon. Several other Egyptians won various award categories. Ahly s Mohamed Abou-Trika as the Inter-Club Player of the Year. Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor was named the continent s best player for 2008 at an elaborate awards ceremony here Tuesday night. Adebayor, 25 later this month, beat final nominees Abo-Trika of Egypt and Ghana s Michael Essien in a vote that involved the national team coaches of CAF s 54 member-nations. It was the first time a Togolese took the accolade as Africa s best player. The awards night was graced by many dignitaries including FIFA President Joseph Blatter and CAF President Issa Hayatou. Salomon Kalou of Ivory Coast and Chelsea was the CAF Young Player of the Year ahead of Cameroon s Stephane Mbia and Nigerian forward Victor Obinna Nsofor. The previous year s winner was Zambia s Clifford Mulenga, who now features for South African Premier Soccer League club Thanda Royal Zulu. Former Nigeria skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu was awarded the African Legend prize.
