Kanoute african player of the year - TalkSoccer

Blaugrana · 02-02-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Kanoute Crowned African Footballer Of The Year

Mali international Frederic Kanoute has been announced as the African Footballer of the Year for 2007.

Kanoute - born in France - is the first European-born player to pick up the award, having beaten the likes of Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, from Ivory Coast and Ghana respectively, Arsenal's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor and Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra from Mali to the award.

The 30-year-old's nomination came off the back of a brilliant year with his club Sevilla, picking up the UEFA Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Of course, he was also the star of their La Liga campaign, and carried Sevilla's title chase into the final day of the season.
He also played in the impressive Mali side that qualified for the African Cup of Nations, despite just recently being eliminated from the competition itself.

Upon receiving the award, Kanoute said: "I dedicate this to my family, who could not be here and to the people of Mali.

"I believe that sport can be used as a tool for development in Africa."

The award is voted for by the 53 national coaches of the CAF nations. Didier Drogba won the award last year, with Samuel Eto'o picking it up previously, three times in a row.

There has not been a winner from Mali since Salif Keita received the inaugural award in 1970.

I'm a bit surprised to see him get more votes than Drogba and Essien. But no doubt that he has had a excellent season, he deserves it. Unbelievable what he has done for Sevilla

**lionel** · 02-02-2008, 06:57 PM

surprising... but I'm happy for him..

he had a wonderful year with sevilla, but in the national stage he underperformed(in the ACN).

does he deserve it more than droba and essien?

G-R87 · 02-02-2008, 07:58 PM

I think he is more than a worthy candidate, but Drogba should have won.

How does Drogba win before, but not this year despite having an even better string of league performances? Anyway, well done Kanoute.

Blaugrana · 02-02-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthew

I think he is more than a worthy candidate, but Drogba should have won.

How does Drogba win before, but not this year despite having an even better string of league performances? Anyway, well done Kanoute.

Last year there simply wasn't a better player

Ps let's compare Drogba and Kanoute:
Drogba: 71 matches: 39 goals + 9 assists
Kanoute: 48 matches: 30 goals + 4 assists

So i don't think the difference was big, also considering that Kanoute plays for a smaller team and he actually won a big price

Not saying he was better than Drogba though, both were quite equal

**Trim** · 02-02-2008, 11:38 PM

Surprised, but just a little. I think he deserved it.

**Sven** · 03-02-2008, 07:36 PM

bit supraised , but congratz, show, Kanoute had the chance to get rested though, where Drogba simply couldn't be, as he was far to important to Chelea.

**Dellas** · 03-02-2008, 09:58 PM

Quite shocked I though Drogba would definitely have won it as he won Chelsea 2 cups single handedly.

but congratulations to Kanoute.

Blaugrana · 04-02-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dellas

he won Chelsea 2 cups single handedly.

Kanoute won 3 cups, one of them being the Uefa Cup.

**Sven** · 04-02-2008, 12:52 PM

True Sevilla did beat Barce 3-0 to win that trophy.

Kanoute was awesome last year, he was also wrapped up in a bubble wrap every game as well, seeing as Sevilla had 3 other great strikers, compared to our spackos at the time, Drogba scored against every big team he played against now only that, he physically dominated every game he played, Kanoute did the same, he was also as important for Sevilla when he was on pitch.

Not really bortherd tbh as I like Kanoute, even though Drogba scored more goals, 6 in a harder comp, 33 all togther without taking a pen.

and this year has 9 goals in 14 starts, we still 3rd? Amazes me.

Blaugrana · 04-02-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven

True Sevilla did beat Barce 3-0 to win that trophy.

Barça didn't even play in the Uefa cup

**Oliver_Kahn** · 04-02-2008, 01:19 PM

I think he means the Super Cup

Blaugrana · 04-02-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver_Kahn

I think he means the Super Cup

Probably yes

**Sven** · 04-02-2008, 01:28 PM

He had to play, we didn't have likes of Kerzhakov, Adraino (who is a direct replacement for Kanoute) and Chevaton, we had Shevachenko and Kalou, one can't hit a barn door , other was injured most season and played rubbish in league.

Drogba has 5 goals in 5 ivory coast this season too.

Blaugrana · 04-02-2008, 02:41 PM

It's now rumoured that the organisation manipulated the result! Before the event, Drogba said he wouldn't come over to receive his award for best player. As a result, the organisation made Kanoute (first 2nd) now 1st, because he did want to come. This African organisation doesn't want to respond to the rumours

I've read it in the Dutch press (who have taken it over from VRT), can't find an English article about it yet.

I think most people were surprised with the result (including me), so it wouldn't come as a shock to me if this rumour is true

**Sven** · 04-02-2008, 03:24 PM

4th best player in the world beaten by someone who I don't think was even in top 10 to African player of year.

Makes sense, Drogba only cares about getting his country to glory.