The Bafana midfield kingpin has been a crucial element of both South Africa's national team and club side Everton over the past year. With South Africa he played at the 2010 World Cup, held in his country, and although his performances were not up to his usual standards, he was the creative spark in midfield for Bafana, providing the attacking players with opportunities up front. Voted as Everton's player of the season and South African player of the year, Pienaar has been very important for the Merseyside team during the last campaign.
Scoring a number of goals and providing assists, his club coach David Moyes knows his true value and has worked hard to hold onto the Johannesburg native despite great transfer interest over the last few months. Pienaar is a leader in his own right, and new Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has referred to him as South Africa’s second captain.
Madjid Bougherra (Rangers/Algeria)
The man affectionately referred to as "Magic" by Rangers and Fennecs fans is just that, a magician with the ball at his feet. Bougherra is not one to be constricted by his position as a centre-back and, throughout his career, has gone on some mesmerising marauding runs forward, often scoring himself or setting up a team-mate.
He helped Rangers win back to back SPL titles in 2009 and 2010 and also played a pivotal role in helping Algeria qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 26 years, as well as finishing fourth at the African Cup of Nations in Angola. At 27, you could call him a late bloomer, but one gets the sense that there's plenty more to come from the Dijon native.
Samuel Eto'o (Inter/Cameroon)
Even after capturing a record three consecutive African Footballer of the Year Awards between 2003 and 2005, Cameroon international and Inter striker Samuel Eto’o remains a force to be reckoned with in the continent’s football, hence his name keeps reappearing as a contender for recognition that some local pundits say he’s even tired of receiving. Eto’o heaped resounding glories upon himself in the year in question for the award – 2009-10.
Despite the Indomitable Lions’ unexpected debacle at the 2010 World Cup, much of what the 29-year-old player acquired in the course of the season still glitters, even in the dusk of his severest critics. The Serie A title, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and Uefa Champions League were all amongst his prizes last season. Many would agree that he is a strong candidate to succeed reigning African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba.
Kolo Toure (Manchester City/Ivory Coast)
Manchester City’s Kolo Toure may not be a strong candidate for this year’s award considering the other stars he is up against, but perhaps the list of 17 is fitting of the veteran defender for his leadership qualities and his personal effort on the pitch over the last year.
His club exploits will not convince enough to gather a consistent vote for him. However, what will be considered most by voters is his individual quality as an experienced, disciplined and reliable defender who plies his trade in a famous league and at an eminent club. He is an African son capable of motivating the younger generation, and for this he should be applauded.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea/Ivory Coast)
Reigning African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba jumps in the race to succeeding himself, dragging along a big bag bloated with team and personal successes during the last season. Many pundits say the election will tighten around Eto’o and Drogba, but who will edge the other? Drogba’s achievements in the previous season are outstanding enough to speak for himself in the hearts of voters.
Premier League title, FA Cup, Premier League Golden Boot – Highest goal scorer, West Africa Footballer of the Year, name it and he’s got it. Being the top scorer of Europe’s most prestigious league will be a strong motivation for those who decide to cast a vote in favour of the 32-year-old Ivorian, despite his national team and personal exploits with the Elephants barely living up to expectation at the 2010 World Cup.
Solomon Kalou (Chelsea/Ivory Coast)
Salomon Kalou has enjoyed the same successes cascading down on him from club side Chelsea as compatriot Didier Drogba has over the last season in the Premier League. But perhaps the 25-year-old needs more personal feats to be able to attract broader attention to himself, and there is still time for growth in his football career.
He is more or less a young prince both at Chelsea and the Ivory Coast, battling to be enthroned in the midst of still living kings and patrons. However, voters may consider his sharp and sturdy talent of cutting fearlessly into any defence. The future opens bright for the Ivorian.
Gervinho (Lille/Ivory Coast)
Gervinho is another Ivorian player with a bright future. He is one of the most skilled dribblers in the French Ligue 1 since last season and was a top scorer for his club Lille in the league. If one thing stands against him however, it is the fact that he is yet to float to the top where players are unanimously picked and crowned by a global audience and by the elite group of his peers. He may get other recognition on the awards night, but the flagship award will likely elude him.
Mohamed Zidan (Dortmund/Egypt)
Having essentially the same last name as one of the best players to ever grace a football pitch must not be easy, but Mohamed Zidan has certainly done a great deal in his career to ensure that he'll be remembered in his own right. While he's played fantastically well at club level, Zizo has saved his best performances for Egypt, with whom he's conquered Africa on two occasions, both times providing the killer assist in the championship game to help the Pharaohs lift the continental title. Nevertheless, Zidan is not just a provider; he is also a lethal finisher. Who could forget his stunning outing against Cameroon at Ghana 2008 where he scored two goals and each time took off his boot and performed his "hot potato" celebration to the delight of the crowd?
Michael Essien (Chelsea/Ghana)
Not much was seen of the Black Stars midfield general in the last year due to protracted injury. The Chelsea ace played less than 45 minutes at the last African Cup of Nations and could not even make it to the historic World Cup in South Africa. It is obvious that the 27-year-old would struggle to make it into the final three of the CAF African Player of the Year Award although he has consistently made it there in previous years. His play at club level is probably the main reason for his presence in the top 17, as he did well when not injured and was part of a very successful season in the Premier League with Chelsea.
Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland/Ghana)
Ghana’s striking sensation shouldered the burden of producing results for a depleted Ghana side at the continental football showpiece in Angola, and was very consistent for the national side over the past year. The ever-smiling 24-year-old was the shining light of the west African nation at the World Cup and bagged three goals for his sterling effort. The most expensive player of English Premiership side Sunderland is Ghana’s best hope of winning the CAF award, and perhaps he will make a surprise climb into the top three African footballers’ podium.
Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese/Ghana)
The midfield playmaker is the creative force of the Black Stars. The Udinese player has been on top of his game at national level, producing better performances than he does for his club. In the absence of star midfielders Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, the soon to be 22-year-old manned the engine room of the Black Stars with his dribbling and distribution skills, earning him the Samsung Fair Play Award.
The enterprising player replicated this at the World Cup by creating a great deal of space and engineering several fouls in dangerous spots against his opponents. He is one of Ghana’s rising stars, and will surely be a prominent face in African football circles for some time to come.
Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan/Ghana)
The central midfielder was Ghana’s World Cup star in South Africa. The AC Milan player who is full of strength, skill and commitment made Michael Essien’s absence at the World Cup less felt. He caught the eyes of the world with his debut Ghana goal against the USA. Until the World Cup he was considered a German, but switched allegiance to join the four-time African champions.
That decision paid off as it gave him the chance to play at the global fiesta for the first time and attracted the radars of Milan so that he could leave relegated English Premiership side Portsmouth. His season at club level was less than stellar due to relegation, but his individual performances were often impressive, and for Ghana he was a revelation in South Africa.
Frédéric Kanouté (Sevilla/Mali)
The French-born Malian striker who plies his trade with Sevilla in Spain clinched the coveted African Player of the Year prize in 2008, becoming the first player born outside of the continent to win it. His nomination for the 2010 prize is no-brainer after Kanoute led the line for Mali during the country’s qualifiers for the 2010 AFCON and World Cup finals.
At the AFCON finals in Angola, Kanoute scored two goals out of the seven the team put away during the tournament. The French-born forward announced his retirement before returning to his club Sevilla. Last season the lethal striker scored 16 goals in all competitions.
Seydou Keita (Barcelona/Mali)
Seydou Keita had a stunning season with Barcelona during the 2009-2010 campaign and his national team Mali during the 2010 World Cup/AFCON qualifiers. Keita starred in the Catalan team that won a number of trophies last year. He was in the team that won the 2009 Uefa Champions League, Fifa Club World Cup and all the Spanish trophies in the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 season.During the two seasons, the midfielder scored six goals and had a number of assists.
On the international stage, after assisting Mali to the 2010 African Cup of Nations finals in Angola, Keita scored two goals, both in the 4-4 draw against Angola in an amazing comeback performance during the opening match of the tournament.
Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal/Morocco)
The lanky 26-year-old was always considered a promising player, but it is in the last two years that Chamakh has taken his game to another level completely. While he initially struggled at Bordeaux, he hung tough and eventually convinced Laurent Blanc to give him a permanent place in the starting line up where his chemistry with Yoann Gourcuff helped offer his club their first Ligue 1 title in 10 years. He also lifted the Coupe de la Ligue in the same season.
While the ensuing campaign wasn't as successful, Chamakh showed enough to earn his dream move to Arsenal where he has settled in beautifully and given the Gunners the kind of target man up front that they haven't had since the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor. The Moroccan’s aerial threat is nothing new, he scored the most goals with his head in the Uefa Champions League last season. While success hasn't necessarily followed with Morocco, especially recently, Atlas Lions fans are hoping that a new coach in Eric Gerets will find a way to utilize his immense skills.
Victor Obinna (Inter Milan, on loan to West Ham United/Nigeria)
The 23-year-old Nigerian striker has become a major player in the Super Eagles fold since he made his debut at the Egypt 2006 African Nations Cup where he scored against Tunisia in the quarter finals. He also led Nigeria’s U23 team to a silver medal finish at the Beijing Olympics where he scored three goals in the lead up to the final where they lost to Argentina. He has scored 11 international goals for Nigeria in 34 appearances. However, Obinna's nomination for the African Player of the Year award will come as a surprise to many because he has not really settled down to club football where he has played at three different clubs in three years.
Unable to find a starting place at Inter in 2008 due to a large squad with many stars, Obinna was farmed out to Malaga in Spain for the 2009-10 season where he scored four goals in 26 league appearances. He started this season at West Ham United with impressive performances and scored his first goal in a 2-1 away win at Sunderland in the Carling Cup. Coach Avram Grant has talked highly of his combination up front with England striker Carlton Cole (who is also of Nigerian parentage). A very good showing in England could secure him a permanent move.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City/Togo)
Despite Emmanuel Adebayor retiring from international football on April 12, 2010, after the fiasco where the Togolese team’s bus came under a gunfire attack in the Angolan town of Cabinda, on the way to the 2010 African Cup of Nations tournament earlier in January this year, the lanky Manchester City striker had already achieved much by assisting the team qualify for the finals.
Adebayor scored four goals in the 6-0 annihilation of Swaziland before scoring the 1-0 win over Cameroon that sealed Togo’s qualification to the 2010 AFCON finals, which the country did not participate in. At club level, after sealing a five-year switch to Manchester City, Adabayor started his season with a swagger by scoring in four consecutive matches, including a messier encounter against his former club Arsenal. Though injuries derailed his season, he managed to score 14 goals from 31 appearances in all competitions.
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