Glo-CAF African Footballer Of The Year 2009: The Generals Missing In Action

Last month, Ivorian Didier Drogba, Michael Essien of Ghana and Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o were picked as the top contenders for the Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year 2009 gong.

Of the trio, Essien is the only person yet to be awarded the coveted continental title with Eto’o being named thrice in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and Drogba in 2006.

On Thursday, a number of top African players who impressed for club and country will not be part of the trio who will be battling for the crown at the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra. Below are some of the stars who will miss the coveted annual prize.

Seydou Keita

Seydou Keita was a key member of Barcelona’s successful 2008-09 European Champions League campaign and the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations crusade with the Malian team. The midfielder came on as a late substitute for Thierry Henry in last season's Champions League final victory over Manchester United, which the Spanish giants won 2-0, and was stunning for Mali in the 2010 AFCON/World Cup qualifiers and AFCON finals. Barcelona have set Keita's release clause at a massive €80 million, underlining just how highly Pep Guardiola rates the Malian international. It a surprise that he was not shortlisted for the Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year 2009 gong.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Adebayor was crowned the 2008 Africa Player of the Year, but the lanky Togolese failed to make it to the top three this time around. After he acrimoniously left Arsenal for Manchester City last summer having emerged as one of the top scorers in the Premier League, Adebayor continued his lethal striking power for country by guiding them to the finals of Africa Cup of Nations. Tragialy, the team was shot at by Angolan rebels, leading to them pulling out of the competition.

Mohamed Aboutrika

Aboutrika made it to the final shortlist for 2008 the Glo-CAF African Footballer after a sterling performance for his club Al Ahli and national team Egypt. At the start of last year he continued his fine form for club and country. The midfielder was part of the Pharaohs team that took part in the FIFA Confederation Cup in South Africa and later took part in the 2010 Africa Cup/World Cup qualifiers, scoring a number of the Egyptian goals. But injury problems made it hard for him to feature in most matches for club and country last year.

Frederic Kanoute

Kanoute had a nice outing with Sevilla and Mali last year. He was one of the top scorers in the Spanish Primera Division last year. He helped Sevilla qualify for a UEFA Cup position in 2008 and a Champions League direct qualification in 2009. He was also a key member in Mali’s qualification to the 2010 AFCON and scored two goals in the finals.

Yaya Toure

Yaya was one of the Barcelona midfield commanders who enabled the club to win three major Spanish titles, the UEFA Champions League and the World Club championship. Besides, he starred in the Cote d’Ivoire team that qualified for the 2010 AFCON/World Cup competitions. It is a surprise that he was not shortlisted amongst the Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year 2009 finalists.

Steven Pienaar

Since last year, Steven Pienaar has become a revelation for South Africa and Everton. He has emerged as the vital cog in Everton's midfield since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2007.  During the Confederations Cup, he made a difference for the World Cup hosts, although they didn’t progress far in the tournament. If he continues with his blistering form from last year, Bafana Bafana can hope to dream.