Malian striker Frederic Kanoute was Friday named the Glo-CAF African footballer of the year 2007. Kanoute, who becomes the second Malian after the legendary Salif Keita to receiv e the topmost individual prize in African football, beat last year's winner Didi e r Drogba of Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana's Michael Essien to the title.
At the well attended ceremony at the Palais des Congres here, the announcement o f Kanoute as the winner was greeted with chants and shouts from the enthusiastic crowd who had been anxiously waiting for that moment.Dressed in an all-white Islamic attire, an overwhelmed Kanoute walked up to rece ive his award from Togo Prime Minister, Komlan Mally, who was assisted by CAF Pr e sident, Issa Hayatou.
The Glo-CAF Awards 2007, sponsored by telecommunication giants, Globacom in coll aboration with the continent's soccer controlling body, CAF, was to reward Afric a n footballers and officials who excelled during the year under review.
In his welcome address, the Glo Chief Executive, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., assured o f the continued support for the development of football on the continent, and co n gratulated the founders of CAF for their vision and tenacity during the formativ e years.
Other award winners were Clifford Mulenga – Young Player of the Year, Cynthia Uwak of Nigeria – Female Footballer of the Year, Armine Cherimiti – Inter-Club Player of the Year, Yemi Tella - Coach of the Year, Etoile du Sahel – Club of the Year Cote D'ivoire – National team of the Year.
The Glo-CAF Merit Order of Achievement went to former Black Stars of Ghana coach , Charles Kumi Gyamfi, with the President of Togo, Mr. Faure Nyasingbe, receivin g the Glo-CAF Platinum Award for 2007.
Also, the top 10 players in Africa during the last five decades were also honour ed.
Nigerian celebrated highlife artist, King Sunny Ade, King Mensah from Togo, Vick y Sampson and trio group, Three Tons, ensured guests had the best form of entert a inment during the award ceremony, the third to be sponsored by Globacom
The following are all the winners
Best Player of the Year – Frederic Kanoute
Young Player of the Year - Clifford Mulenga
Female Footballer of the Year – Cynthia Uwak of Nigeria
Inter-Club Player of the Year – Armine Chermiti (Etoile du Sahel)
Coach of the Year – Yemi Tella (who died after leading Nigeria to the 2007 U-17 world cup)
Club of the Year – Etoile du Sahel
National team of the Year – Cote d'Ivoire
Best Suppporters Club – Ghana Supporters Club
Best Ten players of the last 50 years
(Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto'o. Mahmoud El Khatib, Hossam Hassan, Roger Milla, Kalusha Bwalya, George Weah, Rabah Madjerm Didier Drogba, Nwankwo Kanu)
Glo-CAF Merit Order of Achievement – Charles Kumi Gyamfi Glo-CAF Platinum Award for 2007 – President Faure Nyasingbe
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