African Comment: Who Gets Glo-CAF African Footballer Of The Year In 2011?

 On Monday Dec. 20, Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o became the “King” of African football for another year when he was named Player of the Year for the fourth time, becoming the first African player to get the accolade in quadruple. His easy smile while receiving the trophy depicted, beyond the sense of joy, a feeling of excess.

After three recognitions in a row (2003, 2004, 2005), could a fourth really enthral Eto’o like the discovery of a precious metal?

Not naturally, maybe a Fifa Ballon D’Or would have instead; however, the Inter Milan hit-man got the reward for his worthwhile 2010 football year, which the CAF voters expressed without ambiguity.

But Eto’o may likely make a comeback in next year’s Glo-CAF awards going by his consistency and lack of a robust challenger within the continent and from the diaspora. Will Eto’o be able to clinch the 2011 Glo-CAF Player of the Year award?

Think about it, like I’m thinking too.

Drogba is in serious decline, both in club and national team. The Drogbamania is ebbing like the trend of an old dance whose choreography school children are spending less time in learning.

He can still surge to contend for next year’s title if he ameliorates his personal performance and if the tide turns for him and currently un-inspiring Chelsea during the rest days of the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. And also, if he graciously helps Cote D’Ivoire qualify for the 2012 AFCON, which the Elephants can do themselves without the service of their 32-year-old ex-captain.

Asamoah Gyan narrowly missed it, but he has a bright future and might be around again in 2011, but he has to be more remarkable in his Sunderland outfit and back home with the Black Stars, which is not the case at the moment. His 2010 Fifa World Cup fame is drying up like a fig tree growing out of season. He needs to float new records or break old ones, to expect being included in next year’s CAF’s list.

Who else?

Ghanaian-born Michael Essien seems to have been overtaken by time and events, and slowly sinking into oblivion. Nigeria’s Mikel Obi is still not living up to expectation, but his compatriot Peter Odemwingie, who recently joined West Bromwich Albion, sounds a name. He may climb up the list if he maintains his current play form both in club and national team.

Senegal has two potential elements that could explode the scene next year. Fenerbahçe’s Mamadou Niang and Lille’s Moussa Sow. Both players are top scorers in their leagues and national team, and judging by their average match input, 2011 may be theirs.

Well, it still too early to scribble names of possible contenders for next year’s award, but the present can give a flimsy prophecy of tomorrow.

Mind you, there’s no African Nations Cup finals in 2011, so players will likely be appraised with the 2012 AFCON qualifiers and club performances, let the music play on!