Michael Essien for the second successive time has been voted the MTN Most Valuable Player at the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

The midfielder was selected for the award after his sterling performance on Monday, helped Ghana to a 2-0 victory over Morocco, a win which qualifies the four-time Nations Cup champions to the quarter finals at the on-going tournament.

Essien personally received the Most Valuable Player award at the post-match press conference.

This was his second MVP prize and a third award at the tournament after winning the same award on Thursday when Ghana played Namibia.

He first won the Samsung Fair-Play award, which he picked up after Ghana’s opening day game against Guinea.

This is award is given to the overall best player of the game.