CAF YOUNG AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2009

The young African player of the year is an award presented by CAF to the
most talented African footballer who is yet to clock 23. The scope of the
award covers all African footballers, whether professional or amateur, who
have had the opportunity to showcase their talents for all to see.

The trend of observed from the previous winners of this award shows that no
player has ever won the award after emerging the best player at any age
group competition. The closest that has been experienced was John Obi Mikel
who won the award on the back of his performance at the U17 world cup in
Finland in 2005.

In the year 2009 alone, young African players have showcased their
undoubted talent to the world again; winning the MVP awards both at the
U20 and U17 competitions. It is expected that one of the following will get to
win the award for he young African player of the year 2009.

Dominic Adiyiah: a member of the Black Satellite’s team that conquered

the world at the U20 level. He scored a total of Eight (8) goals and was
awarded the Golden Ball as well as the Golden Shoe. He has since moved
from Fredrikstad FK to AC Milan.

Sani Emmanuel: a member of the Super Eaglets team that lost the final
match of the U17 world cup to Switzerland. He scored a total of five (5) goals
in a remarkable 221 minutes of play and was awarded the Silver Shoe as well
as the Golden Ball. There have been rumours of several European football
clubs hoping to sign him.

Other notable mention:

Dede Ayew

Ramon Azeez

Ransford Osei

Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu

Previous winners of the Young African Player of the Year.

S/ Year Player Name National Team Club

N

1 2008 Salomon Kalou Côte d'Ivoire Chelsea F.C.

2 2007 Clifford Mulenga Zambia Pretoria University FC

3 2006 Taye Taiwo Nigeria Olympique Marseille

4 2005 John Obi Mikel Nigeria Lyn Oslo

5 2004 Obafemi Martins Nigeria Inter Milan

6 2003 Obafemi Martins Nigeria Inter Milan

7 2002 Mido Egypt AFC Ajax

8 2001 Pedro Mantorras Angola Benfica