Yaya Toure with last years trophy and Vincent Enyeama,the safest hands in soccer!
The shortlist of the nominated players for the 2014 CAF African Player of the Year is out and the usual suspects are all present.The only surprising name included is Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.Not that he doesn't deserve to be there,but you hardly find goalkeepers being nominated.I actually think based on his exploits at the last world cup,and his last season in France where he broke records and was the main man in his team Lille's defence,Vincent Enyeama should win and be crowned 2014 CAF African Player of the
Year.Enyeama had an incredible year in between the sticks,he was named amongst the top players and top keepers at the just concluded world cup.I think he was the highest rated African player at the world cup.
Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo and Asamoah Gyan of Ghana.
Lets move on to the other nominees,Emmanuel Adebayor,had a good season for Tottenham Hotspurs,but in my opinion didn't do enough to be named best player in Africa for the year.
Ahmed Musa of Nigeria,did well for his team CSKA Moscow,and who can forget his performance in the world cup with his two spectacular goals against Argentina? But in my opinion was no where as consistence as Enyeama both at club and national level.
Yaya Toure of Man City and Ivory Coast.Toure is always there or thereabouts,he is the current winner of the award.Did he do enough to win this time?Yep i think he did,considering that Man City won the league and he played a big part.But i don't think he had a good year internationally.Enyeama did,both at club and National levels,so for this i think Enyeama is slightly ahed of him still.
Asamoah Gyan of Ghana.Gyan had a good year for his club in the UAE.The problem with Gyan is that,he plays in a low level league,so he doesn't get the plaudits and recognition he deserves.And understandably so,i mean the club football he plays,is probably a league 2 equivalent,for Ghana he did well at the world cup,still i think Enyeama is ahead.I can't see how Enyeama can lose.If Vincent Enyeama is not voted CAF player of the year for 2014,the award will have no credibility this year in my humble opinion!
Meanwhile Ejike Uzoenyi of Rangers International, Enugu, is the only Nigerian shortlisted in the 20-man list of Africa-based Player of the Year.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the nominees in Cairo on November 6th. The Awards Gala will take place on 8 January 2015 in Lagos.