African Footballer of the Year 2009 Shortlist

By: Daryl | December 11th, 2009

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced its five man shortlist for the 2009 African Footballer of the Year award. The five players (in alphabetical order) are:

Didier Drogba (Cote d’Ivoire & Chelsea)
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon & Internazionale/Barcelona
Michael Essien (Ghana & Chelsea)
Seydou Keita (Mali & Barcelona)
Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire & Barcelona)

CAF has profiles of all five nominees here. The coaches from all 53 CAF member teams will now vote for their top three, and the winner will be announced at a ceremony (location to be determined) on February 25th, 2010.

Three things worth noting here:

First of all, seems CAF has learned from the 2007 African Player of the Year ceremony, which was held in February 2008. In the middle of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. This caused a bit of controversy when winner Didier Drogba was unable to attend the ceremony, because he was still playing in the CAF organized tournament, and so the award was instead given to Fredi Kanoute. Because as well as being good at football, Kanoute was also free that particular evening. Drogba was not amused. But at least the ceremony for the 2009 award will take place a full 25 days after the end of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, so we hopefully won’t be getting a repeat of that fiasco.

Second, this is yet another shortlist dominated by Barcelona. Just saying. The club were so good in 2009 that even an award ceremony based on a whole other continent has found a way to recognize them.

Last but definitely not least: Samuel Eto’o. With his trio of wins in 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Cameroon striker is currently tied for all time African Player of the Year awards with the legendary duo of George Weah and Abédi Pelé. If Eto’o takes the 2009 award he’ll be out on his own as a four time African Player of the Year award winner. Provided he’s free to collect the award that night.

	Soccer Forums	Team/International Results

Category: Africa

Tags: Africa, African Footaller of the Year, Barcelona, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Inter, Michael Essien, Samuel Etoo, Seydou Keita, Yaya Toure

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 40 comments.
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• Tosin Olabisi,Lagos,Nigeria |  January 9th, 2010 at 6:09 am

  
  
  

  Samuel Eto’o is my best candidate for 2009 African footballer award.He performed excellently well with his 36 goals last season.

  Posted from Germany

  

• Kingsley |  January 10th, 2010 at 1:57 pm

  
  
  

  Give it to Drogba is my winner

  Posted from United States

  

• Ayo Hundogan |  January 12th, 2010 at 4:41 am

  
  
  

  More often than not, Osaze Odemwingie´s name has been missing on the list of The Confederation of African Football. (CAF) This is giving rise to concern.
  None of the aforestated names for the 2009 African Footballer of the Year award is greater in excellence or higher in quality than Osaze Odemwingie.
  Osaze is a prominent attribute of excellence. The attainment of proficiency, outstanding features in which he excels, grandness of skill, distinguishing attribute especially when the Team is perhaps not doing well . All of these should be a matter of vital concern to CAF in considering the young talented footballer.
  It is not an overstatement to say that Osaze has a natural endowment but the constant parameters used by CAF to define and determine who becomes Africa´s best player of the year is questionable as there are other good and quality players that are left out.
  However, I would like to suggest that FIFA should probably take the responsibility (amenable) of determining who becomes the Africa´s best player of the year since CAF decision is based on policy stemming from prejudice

  Posted from Germany

  

• cedric |  January 12th, 2010 at 9:04 am

  
  
  

  whatever happens, let’s not forget that the onging african cup will deliver the last point of conviction to the various headcoaches who are to vote. too bad seidou keita and yaya toure have already started poorly.

  Posted from United States

  

• Ben Idam |  January 14th, 2010 at 12:35 am

  
  
  

  I strongly believe Drogba is the right man for the job. I mean who are we fooling? The man was simply fantastic last year (and he still is). His team contributions (goal scoring, assists, defence ability) are simply textbook!

  Posted from United States

  

• clovis |  January 19th, 2010 at 5:03 am

  
  
  

  etoo is the best in africa

  Posted from United States

  

• lemnyuy clovis |  January 19th, 2010 at 5:05 am

  
  
  

  samuel etoo should be awarded african footballer of the year.he deserves it.

  Posted from United States

  

• premier league highlights |  January 20th, 2010 at 4:54 am

  
  
  

  Hey, I just wanted to say what a good website. I totally enjoyed it and found it interesting reading. Anticipating your next post!

  Posted from United States

  

• Sibonelo |  January 26th, 2010 at 1:11 pm

  
  
  

  I have the good list so far who i think were impressing during this African Nations Cup 2010.

  1. Ahmed Hassan (Egypt)
  2. Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana)
  3. Alexandra Song (Cameroon)
  4. Christopher Katongo (Zambia)
  5. Flavio (Angola)
  6. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
  7. Ahmed Fathi (Egypt)
  8. Karim Zaini (Algeria)
  9. Peter Odemwingie (Nigeria)
  10. Seydou Keita (Mali)

  Posted from United States

  

• folarin |  January 31st, 2010 at 12:05 pm

  
  
  

  i will never watch the african nations cup again if eto’o does not win the award and yaya toure is not second. this should be a certainty considering the treble, that no club has won in 10 years, they won. Even if Drogba somehow wins on vote CAF should ignore it & personally give it to eto’o because i don’t see any african player repeating what eto’o did in the 2008/09 season. it was classic with lots of record to behold.

  Posted from United States

  

• god banker |  February 11th, 2010 at 6:36 am

  
  
  

  et0.o is the greatest player in Africa 2010

  Posted from United States

  

• Mike |  February 17th, 2010 at 9:51 am

  
  
  

  none of these players are better than Benny Mc Carthy of South africa. I mean, that guy is good and deadly in front of goals.
  he is the deservedly African player of the year 2009
  then after him come Idriss carlos Kameni, the goalkeeper
  and 3rd is Obafemi martins

  Posted from United States

  

• alain |  February 20th, 2010 at 1:16 am

  
  
  

  rating of players after the CAN 2009;DROGBA 4/10, ETO’O 8.5/10

  Posted from United States

  

• Sergio |  February 23rd, 2010 at 7:40 pm

  
  
  

  Eto is the player of the year 2009. He was classic, goal oriented, goal scorer, comportment was excellent, was a fantastic fair-play player. He was the highest goal scorer but in spain and in Cameroon national team. He just awesome. This is the time to evaluate CAF integrity. Eto first, Drogba Second and Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) should be the thirth

  Posted from United States

  

• Sergio |  February 23rd, 2010 at 7:44 pm

  
  
  

  Eto is the player of the year 2009. He was classic, goal oriented, goal scorer, his comportment was excellent,team manager, discipline, and he was a fantastic fair-play player. He was the highest goal scorer in Spain and in Cameroon national team. He was just awesome. This is the time to evaluate CAF integrity. Eto first, Drogba Second and Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) should have been the third(He is fantastic in traditional African soccer)

  Posted from United States

  

• emmanuel |  February 24th, 2010 at 9:21 am

  
  
  

  etoo is da best

  Posted from United States

  

• ENAW BACHI |  March 5th, 2010 at 3:44 am

  
  
  

  SAMUEL ETO’O IS DA BEST EVER IN AFRICA

  Posted from United States

  

• ENAW BACHI |  March 5th, 2010 at 3:45 am

  
  
  

  ETO’O IS THE FOR 2009
  FROM CAMEROON

  Posted from United States

  

• Olusiji Balogun |  March 9th, 2010 at 3:06 pm

  
  
  

  I’ll give it to Eto’o. No controversy

  Posted from United States

  

• cindy |  March 10th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

  
  
  

  etoo is the best player for the 2009 season. CAF should not repeat the mistake they made two seasons ago by giving his tittle to Drogba. beware and be wise

  Posted from United States

  

• mboyi |  March 11th, 2010 at 4:18 am

  
  
  

  ETO’O IS A FOOTBALL LEGEND OF ALL TIMES. HIS STANDARD IS BEYOND THE AFRICAN LEVEL. I THINK HE GREATLY MERITS THE AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR. HE IS A FOOTBALL “JUJU”.

  Posted from United States

  

• Andrew Atabe |  March 11th, 2010 at 8:10 am

  
  
  

  Samuel Eto’o is the best for the year. He deserves the award. Please let him have it.

  Posted from Sweden

  

• EMMANUELE |  March 11th, 2010 at 10:57 am

  
  
  

  ETO’O DESERVE THIS AWARD. HE WAS OUTSTANDING LAST YEAR.

  Posted from United States

  

• YUNGEH |  March 11th, 2010 at 11:00 am

  
  
  

  ETO’O IS THE BEST, PLEASE GIVE IT TO HIM. HE WON LOTS OF TROPHIES FOR BACERLONA LAST SEASON.

  Posted from United States

  

• Achimages |  March 16th, 2010 at 2:03 am

  
  
  

  Please caf stop partiality, what about osaze

  Posted from Germany

  

Comments are closed