History Of The Bbc African Footballer Of The Year Award
The BBC African Footballer of the Year award is unique in being voted for by football fans around the world.
Launched as the BBC African Sports Star of the Year award in 1992, when Ghanaian footballer Abedi Pele was the inaugural winner, the prize has since transformed into its current format.
After a poll of football journalists from every country in Africa, a shortlist of five players is announced – whereupon the public determines its best for a calendar year.
Names etched on the trophy include George Weah, Didier Drogba, Jay-Jay Okocha, El Hadji Diouf and Sammy Kuffuor, with a comprehensive look at all the winners below.
2012 Christopher Katongo – Zambia and Henan Construction (China)
Attacking midfielder Christopher Katongo won the trophy http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20769182 after captaining Zambia to a fairytale Africa Cup of Nations title.
Little-fancied before the tournament, the Chipolopolo won the title in Libreville – 20 years after the national team's air disaster off the coast of Gabon – beating favourites Ivory Coast on penalties in the final.
Katongo, a staff sergeant in the army, http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6989780.stm dispatched his spot-kick in the shoot-out, to add to the three goals he had scored earlier.
Named Player of the Tournament by the Confederation of African Football, the Zambian won the BBC prize ahead of Ivorian duo Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba, Senegal's Demba Ba and Younes Belhanda of Morocco.
“This is the thing I will never forget in my life,” Katongo told BBC Sport. “As a footballer you want to achieve something and I have done it through the fans who have recognised my hard work. This is one of the best awards, to be named among the best ever African players.”
2011 Andre Ayew – Ghana and Marseille (France)
Then 21, Ayew became the first son of a former winner to claim the prize, http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16202312 two decades after his father Abedi 'Pele' Ayew picked up the original BBC award.
The fifth Ghanaian to win the trophy, the wideman beat off competition from Toure and his Ivorian compatriot Gervinho, with Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) and Sedyou Keita (Mali) also missing out.
After making an impact at both the Nations Cup and World Cup in 2010, Ayew became a key figure for Marseille – finishing the 2010-11 season as a regular starter, with his 11 goals aiding his cause.
He began the following season with a hat-trick in the French Super League while also playing a key role in ensuring that the Black Stars qualified for the 2012 Nations Cup in unbeaten fashion.
“I'm honoured and surprised to receive this prestigious award, especially considering the great players who have won it in the past,” said Ayew.
2010 Asamoah Gyan – Ghana and Sunderland (England)
Gyan earned the fans' plaudits after an unforgettable year internationally as the Black Stars progressed to the latter stages of both the Nations Cup and World Cup.
In early 2010, he scored three of Ghana's four goals as the four-time African champions reached their first Nations Cup final in 18 years, ultimately losing out to Egypt.
At the World Cup, the then 24-year-old grabbed global attention as another three goals took his side to a maiden quarter-finals, where he infamously missed a last-minute penalty against Uruguay.
Despite spurning the chance to fire Africa to its first World Cup semi-final, Gyan clinched the BBC title with an overwhelming majority – receiving over half of the vote ahead of rivals Ayew, Toure, Drogba and Eto'o.
“I'm so happy, I can't believe it,” said the man who left Rennes for Premier League side Sunderland after South Africa 2010. “I'm so thankful to all the fans who voted for me. It was really hard to win this award, especially because of all the other players I was up against.”
2009 Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast and Chelsea (England)
After a disappointing start to the year, in which he was struggling for both goals and a place in Felipe Scolari's Chelsea, Drogba saw his footballing fortunes vastly improve throughout 2009.
He would score 31 goals for the London club in the calendar year, with one of his most important strikes coming in the FA Cup final as the Blues rallied from a goal down to beat Everton 2-1.
On the international scene, he secured qualification for the Ivory Coast at the 2010 World Cup and Nations Cup finals.
He scored six times in five games in the Elephants' campaign, including the goal which would take them to the World Cup – an equaliser against Malawi in Blantyre.
The striker beat Toure, Eto'o, Michael Essien and DR Congo's Tresor Mputu Mabi to the BBC title.
2008 Mohamed Aboutrika – Egypt and Al Ahly (Egypt)
Match-winner Aboutrika celebrates the moment Egypt become the 2008 Nations Cup champions
Aboutrika was an overwhelmingly popular winner, taking over half of the 155,000 votes cast as the talented playmaker beat compatriot Amr Zaki, Drogba, Eto'o and Emmanuel Adebayor to the prize.
One of the finest footballers to ever grace the continent, Aboutrika had a 2008 to remember – scoring the only goal of the Nations Cup final against Cameroon and winning the African Champions League with Al Ahly.
Crucially for a man whose talents have been seldom seen outside the continent given the Pharaohs' failure to qualify for a World Cup, the quiet Egyptian was on the global stage at the Fifa Club World Cup with the Cairo giants for a third time.
“2008 was a tremendous year,” Aboutrika told the BBC's African sports programme Fast Track. “It was an opportunity for me and my team-mates to be a showcase for Egyptian football across the world.
“This prize is a wonderful present for me. It's an honour both for Egyptian football and for my club Al Ahly – I am very happy to be this year's winner of the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.”
2007 Emmanuel Adebayor – Togo and Arsenal (England)
Adebayor scored home and away against Spurs in 2007, including the goal of the 2007-2008 season
The tall Togo striker was a popular winner, taking 42% of the vote ahead of an in-form Drogba, while also beating Essien, Freddie Kanoute of Mali and Eto'o.
In May 2007, shortly after ending his first full season with Arsenal, the Togolese was rewarded for his bright performances – and goals against Manchester United at Old Trafford and versus Milan at the San Siro – with a new long-term deal.
He started the following season in fine class, helping to atone for the departure of club legend Thierry Henry by scoring 13 times by the end of 2007 – and ultimately performing so well he would end up in the prestigious PFA Team of the Year.
One of his 18 strikes in the calendar year – the volley at the home of North London rivals Tottenham in September – would later be named as the best of the season.
“I'm greatly honour to be given this award in front of my people,” Adebayor said upon receiving his award in Lome. “It means a lot. All these years I have been working hard – and today I have been rewarded.”
2006 Michael Essien – Ghana and Chelsea (England)
Essien was in imperious form for club and country in 2006, a year when Ghana debuted at the World Cup
Becoming what was then the most expensive African footballer when signing for Chelsea in August 2005, Essien began to repay the Stamford Bridge faithful in full the following year.
He quickly emerged as a complete midfielder, with strength in the tackle, an eye for goal and vast reserves of energy – qualities that enabled the Ghanaian to pip Aboutrika, Eto'o, Drogba and Angolan international Flavio to the BBC prize.
Less than a year after joining the Blues, Essien had helped them win the Premier League – and his form was such that he ended up on the 30-man shortlist for Fifa World Footballer of the Year.
His immense performances as Ghana reached the knock-out stages at the Black Stars' first World Cup were a decisive factor in that recognition and the midfielder was conspicuous by his absence when missing the 3-0 defeat in the second round by Brazil through suspension.
“I have been playing some good football and without the contribution of my team-mates at national team and club level, I couldn't have achieved this feat,” Essien, who was handed the trophy by Abedi Pele in Accra, told BBC Sport. “I am very delighted to have won the award as it is total recognition from fans across Africa.”
2005 Mohamed Barakat – Egypt and Al Ahly (Egypt)
Barakat was part of the Al Ahly team that went a world record 55 games unbeaten in 2005
Barakat became the first North African to etch his name on the BBC African Footballer of the Year trophy after an unforgettable year with Cairo giants Al Ahly.
The Egyptian side won their local league before lifting the African Champions League, with Barakat top scoring in the competition with seven goals – scoring a hat-trick against city rivals Zamalek in the semi-finals, and one more in the final against Etoile du Sahel.
The midfielder was also key to Ahly's world record run of 55 games without defeat, an achievement that surpassed the previous feats of South American duo Santos (Brazil) and Penarol (Uruguay).
Seeing off Eto'o, Essien and Nigerian duo Obafemi Martins and Jay-Jay Okocha, the slender Barakat received his award during the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations – which Egypt would go on to win.
“This award will certainly lift the spirit and morale of the whole Egyptian team,” he told the BBC. “I know this award was won because of my form for Ahly, but the star of that team is not one individual but the team itself.”
2004 Jay-Jay Okocha – Nigeria and Bolton Wanderers (England)
2004 was a year when Okocha scored the 1,000th goal in Nations Cup history
Okocha retained the trophy after a year in which he exceeded his exploits of 2003, captaining Nigeria to third place at the Nations Cup and helping Bolton finish eighth in the Premiership, their then highest finish.
In only his second season with the club, he assumed the captaincy and promptly led the Trotters to the League Cup final, largely thanks to two stunning free-kicks in the semi-final win over Aston Villa.
He took that form to the Nations Cup, scoring four goals – including the 1,000th in the history of the competition – to finish joint top scorer while also being named Player of the Tournament.
Such displays enabled him to beat a shortlist comprising Eto'o, Martins, Ghana's Stephen Appiah and Drogba.
“I never thought I could win it again this year,” Okocha told BBC Sport. “I appreciate this one more because it's been more difficult to retain the award and I've put in a lot of hard work to see that I retain it. I'm very happy I accomplished it and I appreciate all the people who voted for me.”
2003 Jay-Jay Okocha – Nigeria and Bolton Wanderers (England)
Okocha became an instant hero at Bolton in his first full season with the club
Okocha's first full season in English football was good enough to earn him the BBC crown above Eto'o (then playing for Real Mallorca) and Appiah.
The skilful playmaker's excellent run in the second half of the 2002-03 season earned him rave reviews and he finished as the club's joint top scorer.
None of his goals was more important than the 30-yard strike against Middlesbrough on the final day of the Premiership season, which helped his team win 2-1 and so stay in the division by just a point.
Bolton coach Sam Allardyce praised his “outstanding abilities” as the Nigerian quickly adapted to life in England after a disappointing spell with Paris-Saint Germain.
“I am delighted to receive this prestigious award and it has inspired me to do more,” Okocha said. “I want to thank those who voted for me. I have worked hard to be on the top and I'm going to continue working harder.”
2002 El Hadji Diouf – Senegal and Lens (France)/Liverpool (England)
Senegal's El Hadji Diouf turns away from Marcel Desailly of France at the 2002 World Cup
Diouf was in scintillating form as Senegal stunned defending champions France at the 2002 World Cup
After a troubled start to his career, with numerous off-field problems hindering his development, El Hadji Diouf finally showed the extent of his talents in 2002.
The forward was in sublime form at the start of the year as he spearheaded Senegal's passage to their first ever Nations Cup final, where they were only beaten by Cameroon on penalties alone.
Fearing his profile and price would soar at the World Cup, Liverpool snapped up the then 21-year-old from Lens in the days before the tournament began – and the Reds were right to be worried.
He gave a masterclass in the opening game of the 2002 finals, as Senegal stunned France with a 1-0 victory before the Teranga Lions went on to reach the quarter-finals at their only World Cup to date.
“Some people may have negative things to say about me but I know that the fans believe in me and I will continue to play for them,” Diouf told the BBC upon receiving his award in Johannesburg.
2001 Samuel Kuffour – Ghana and Bayern Munich (Germany)
Kuffuor holds the Intercontinental Cup after his goal separated Europe's and South America's champions
Sammy Kuffuor achieved a rare feat by winning the trophy despite being a defender, a result of helping Germany's Bayern Munich to a hat-trick of titles in 2001.
In May, just days after clinching their third straight Bundesliga title on the final day of the season, Bayern beat Valencia on penalties to win the Champions League, their first European crown in 25 years.
This more than atoned for the club's luckless defeat to Manchester United in the 1999 final, which famously featured Kuffuor beating the ground in frustration at the final whistle.
At the end of the year, Bayern would win the Intercontinental Cup when beating South American champions Boca Juniors, with none other than Kuffuor himself scoring the winning goal in extra-time.
“To be voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year is not an easy thing and it's a great opportunity for me” the Ghanaian, who beat Diouf and Sierra Leone's Mohammed Kallon in the voting, told the BBC. “This award is for the whole African continent.”
2000 Patrick Mboma – Cameroon and Cagliari/Parma (Italy)
Mboma holds his Olympic gold medal following his goalscoring display in the final against Spain
The turn of the century witnessed a change in the BBC's award as Patrick Mboma won the last African Sports Personality of the Year – with the prize changing to African Footballer of the Year in 2001.
The Cameroon captain was rewarded after a hugely successful year in which his side not only won its first Nations Cup title in 12 years but also Olympic gold.
The Italy-based striker scored four times in the Nations Cup, including a goal in the final as the Indomitable Lions lifted the title after winning a penalty shoot-out to defeat co-hosts Nigeria on home soil.
In September, he hit another four goals as Cameroon won its first Olympic gold medal as the football team beat Xavi's Spain in a Sydney final which was also decided by spot-kicks.
Reflecting the nature of the BBC trophy at the time, Mboma finished above Ethiopian long distance runner Haile Gebreselassie and Mozambique's Olympic gold medallist Maria Mutola in the voting.
1999 Nwankwo Kanu – Nigeria and Arsenal (England)
Kanu, who left Inter Milan to join Arsenal in February 1999, became an instant hit with Gunners fans
Nwankwo Kanu won the BBC award for a second time in 1999, two years after his initial title, as he bounced back from a difficult period to play at the highest level once again – signed by English Premier League side Arsenal in February.
The lanky striker had been diagnosed with a heart defect shortly after joining Inter Milan in 1996 and remained with the Italian giants for over two years after surgery, but playing just a handful of games during that time.
In his first full season, Kanu scored a legendary 17-minute hat-trick at Chelsea – clinching a famous comeback from two goals down to take the October clash 3-2, as he curled home a stunning winner in the final minute.
Six months earlier, he had already earned the adoration of Gunners fans when showcasing his ability with a tasty backflick against Middlesbrough.
The Nigerian would net six Premiership goals that term, some of them off the bench, before firing 17 in all competitions the following season – including a strike that earned a Champions League draw at Barcelona.
1998
For only the second time in history, the BBC prize was won by an athlete – as legendary Ethiopian Gebreselassie won the title.
This came after the athlete broke the world records in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres.
1997 Nwankwo Kanu – Nigeria and Internazionale (Italy)
Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu in action for Inter Milan
Kanu's return from a major heart operation to play for Inter in 1997 was warmly received by fans worldwide
Kanu signed for Inter Milan from Ajax Amsterdam in 1996 and went on to win an historic Olympic football gold medal with Nigeria weeks later, the first time Africa had ever won the prize.
But he was diagnosed with a hole in his heart shortly after and following successful surgery in November, he would not play for Inter for the entirety of the 1996-97 season.
In April 1997, he returned to his club with the best wishes of the global footballing family – as a bright young player who had won the 1995 European Cup with Ajax received a second chance.
His first match came the following season but even then, he made just 11 appearances – scoring only once – and he was given only one more game prior to his February 1999 departure for Arsenal.
His prize as BBC African Sports Personality of 1997 was all about the strength of character he showed and the goodwill he gained when returning to the game after such a scare.
1996 Emmanuel Amuneke – Nigeria and Sporting (Portugal)/Barcelona (Spain)
Emmanuel Amuneke of Nigeria
Amuneke's goal against Argentina made Nigeria the first African nation to win Olympic football gold
Emmanuel Amuneke earned the BBC prize after scoring the goal that sealed one of football's most heart-warming victories, as a carefree Nigerian side won Africa's first Olympic football gold medal.
Improving on Ghana's bronze in 1992, Nigeria won the competition with some thrilling play that saw off none other than Mexico, Brazil – searching that elusive first title and boasting Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos – and Argentina in the knock-out stages.
In the final itself, Amuneke – who played every game for Nigeria during the tournament – slotted home in the 90th minute itself to seal a memorable fightback after the 1994 African champions had come from 2-1 down with 16 minutes left.
“We were the pride of the whole continent, since this was the first time that an African team had ever won a tournament this important,” he later told Fifa.com.
His exploits caught the eye of Spanish giants Barcelona, who signed him from Portugal's Sporting Lisbon in December that year, but his career never fully recovered after suffering a bad knee injury in 1997.
1995 George Weah – Liberia and AC Milan (Italy)
George Weah holds the Ballon d'Or in 1995
1995 also saw Weah become the only African to be named World and European Footballer of the Year
The BBC award was just one of many that AC Milan's George Weah won in 1995 along with the African, European and World Player titles, and the Liberian is still the only African to have won Fifa's prestigious prize.
He beat Paolo Maldini and Jurgen Klinsmann in the voting, before earning further acclaim at the awards ceremony after spontaneously giving his Fifa medal to a moved Arsene Wenger, who had discovered and developed the striker's talent at Monaco.
Weah was instrumental in Paris Saint-Germain's historic march to the 1995 Champions League semi-finals, finishing the tournament's top scorer that year with seven goals – one of which came at the Camp Nou as the French side knocked Barcelona out in the quarters.
He also enjoyed great success with his nation in 1995 as Weah propelled the Lone Star to a maiden Nations Cup qualification, even if the following year's tournament debut would herald a first-round exit.
After leaving Paris for Milan, Weah netted 11 goals as the league title arrived in his first year and he would surpass his tally the next season, when he scored his pitch-long wonder goal against Verona in 1996.
1994 Zambia national team
Rashidi Yekini of Nigeria holds off Zambian attempts during the 1994 Nations Cup final, which Nigeria won 2-1.
Zambia, in green, won neutrals' hearts after reaching the Nations Cup final a year after the Gabon disaster
The history of Zambian football was largely written in April 1993 when a plane carrying the squad to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal crashed off the coast of Gabon, killing all 30 of its passengers – including 18 of the country's best footballers.
Yet the greatest player in the country's history, Kalusha Bwalya, was not on the plane as he was making his own way to Dakar from Europe, where he played for PSV Eindhoven.
The 1988 African Footballer of the Year would lead a barely-believable comeback as a young team went unbeaten in its remaining two Nations Cup qualifiers to reach the 1994 finals.
On Tunisian soil, a rebuilt side defied all the odds to reach Zambia's first final but they came unstuck against a Nigerian side containing Rashidi Yekini, Sunday Oliseh, Amuneke, Okocha and Daniel Amokachi.
Yet the way in which such a spirited Zambian team overcame incredible adversity to make their country proud was not forgotten by those who voted for the BBC award – nor by a grateful nation.
1993
The ever-popular Frankie Fredericks became the first athlete to win the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award after becoming Namibia's first world champion, three years after the country achieved independence.
Competing at that year's World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart, Fredericks saw off Great Britain's John Regis and Carl Lewis to win in a then tournament record time of 19.85 seconds.
1992 Abédi Pelé – Ghana and Marseille (France)
Ghanaian Abedi Pele won the Champions League with Marseille, beating Milan in the 1993 final
Abedi Pele won the first ever BBC African Sports Star of the Year award in 1992 while playing for French club Marseille.
He was the heartbeat of the Ghana side that reached the 1992 Nations Cup final in Senegal, where they lost on penalties to Ivory Coast – with the Marseille man missing the decider through suspension.
Nonetheless, he was named the best player of the tournament after impressing with his penetrating play and unsurpassed tally of three goals.
Later in the year, the Marseille star was celebrating once again as his French side recorded its fourth straight league title in succession.
Even better was to follow as Pele, Marcel Desailly and Basile Boli – all of whom had African roots – began a season that ended with Marseille's solitary Champions League title as they beat Milan in the 1993 final.