Last Updated: 2005-02-15 21:02:12

Eto'o retains African award

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) named Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o as the continent's Footballer of the Year for the second year running on Tuesday.

In a widely-tipped result, the Barcelona player earned 116 votes to finish ahead of Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba (90) and Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha (63).

For the first time, the player of the year was decided by a poll of each of Caf's member associations and Eto'o becomes only the fourth player to win the award in consecutive years.

Yet the 23-year-old was not in the South African city of Durban to collect his trophy since he is participating in Fifa's charity match for victims of the Asian tsunami in Barcelona's Camp Nou.

"It is a very proud moment for me and my country," the Indomitable Lion announced by video link.

Unsurprisingly, last year's African champions Tunisia were among the evening's other major winners as the Carthage Eagles were named team of the year.

Yet the coach of the year award went to Okey Emordi, who guided Nigeria's Enyimba to a successful defence of their Champions League trophy.

Enyimba were also named the African club of the year following their defeat of Tunisia's Etoile Sahel in the final last December.

"Martins"

Two other Nigerians celebrating awards were Obafemi Martins of Italy's Inter Milan, who retained his young player of the year award, and Vincent Enyeama, who was named the best player in last year's Champions League.

THE MAJOR WINNERS AT CAF'S 2004 AWARDS

Meanwhile, South African striker Benni McCarthy won goal of the year for his second strike, a stunning header, for Portugal's eventual European champions Porto against Manchester United last February.

Footballer of the Year: Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon and Barcelona, Spain)

Young Player of the Year: Obafemi Martins (Nigeria and Inter Milan, Italy)

Coach of the Year: Okey Emordi (Enyimba, Nigeria)

Club of the Year: Enyimba (Nigeria)

Team of the Year: Tunisia

Best African Champions League player: Vincent Enyeama (Enyimba, Nigeria)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Ali Boumnijel (Tunisia and Club Africain, Tunisia)

Best goal of the year: Benni McCarthy (South Africa) - Porto (Portugal) versus Manchester United (England), Uefa Champions League, 25 February 2004

Female Footballer of the Year: Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

Link | 2005-02-16 10:21
samson (nigeria)

I must confess that NFA are to blame and the so call inportent chukwu as a coachb for JAY JAY miss for the african foot baller of the year.ETO'O is a small boy and what did he do in 2003 and 2004...CAF president have nothing and he is an inportent man...If he likes he should not give NIGERIA or nominet them for any award...we are still the best in Africa and NIGERIA will always fly above lion.my AFRICA footballer of the year 2004 is.........AUSTINE JAY JAY OKOCHA...Congratulation JAY JAY FOR MY AWARD and for all NIGERIAS that sopport the it home and abroad...Na wa ooo...Na so e sopose to be now...

Link | 2005-02-16 14:18
Stanley Mcking N. (jos)

Day light rubbery.CAF is total disgrace, I don't regret saying it cos what happened was pure politics. Can you imagine, Eto or whatever his name is, was aware cos they (CAF) tipped him before now.

My fellow Nigerian, do take heart cos BBC recgnized Jay-Jay twice, so Isa Haitu can go to blazes as far a I cared.

Peace to you all.

Link | 2005-02-17 09:06
vitomania (anambra state)

if the truth must be told without bias nor sentiments then me gat to say it loud without fear nor favour that samuel eto rightly deserves the award. conglats king samuel.

Link | 2005-02-17 13:09
whiteman (Port-harcourt)

Eto should thank NFA for their lapses although all things being equal Okocha won't have won since we are yet to know and play the politics of the game. If we want any Naija to win the award in this 21st century we should ask Orji Uzor Kalu to advise us for he knows how to carry along the CAF big wigs along. Okocha cheer up for the victory of evil over good is for a while, if BBC can acknowledge your skill, forget CAF and their manipulation.

Link | 2005-02-17 17:37
Gazzy (Isuochi, Abia State.)

CAF is a disgrace to the development of African Football.
This is all i have to say for now!

Link | 2005-02-17 19:43
vichel (USA)

CAF should be ashamed of them selves. Imagin Didier Drogba having 20 points more than Okocha. I am really sad because the politics of football in Africa is just begining. I am consoled by the fact that BBC recognised the Phenom Jay Jay Okocha as their African player of the year. So good they named him Twice: Jay Jay

Link | 2005-02-18 09:02
kenome (benin,nigeria)

nothing is hidden under the sun,i now know the cirteria used by caf taward african player of the year

Link | 2005-03-22 14:55
donfrey6 (Nigeria)

thank u Vichel for that comment i like the way u u commented CAf should better stop all these tricks and let football and the awards in it with the spirit of sportmanship and fair play.
I am not particularly surprised over CAF's decision because right before our very eyes, Nigeria lost the final of Africa Cup of Nations 2000 to Cameroun and Mr CAF was there, seeing his men robbed NIgeria of the prestigious cup. So, we should not complain at all, the best thing is to clamour for Mr CAF's exit so that we can all smile.

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Eto'o retains African award

Link | 2005-02-16 10:21 samson (nigeria)

Link | 2005-02-16 14:18 Stanley Mcking N. (jos)

Link | 2005-02-17 09:06 vitomania (anambra state)

Link | 2005-02-17 13:09 whiteman (Port-harcourt)

Link | 2005-02-17 17:37 Gazzy (Isuochi, Abia State.)

Link | 2005-02-17 19:43 vichel (USA)

Link | 2005-02-18 09:02 kenome (benin,nigeria)

Link | 2005-03-22 14:55 donfrey6 (Nigeria)

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