Kanoute Crowned African Footballer Of The Year

Mali international Frederic Kanoute has been announced as the African Footballer of the Year for 2007...

zoom - galleria The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed the decision on Friday.

Kanoute - born in France - is the first European-born player to pick up the award, having beaten the likes of Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, from Ivory Coast and Ghana respectively, Arsenal's Togolese forward Emmanuel Adebayor and Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra from Mali to the award.

The 30-year-old's nomination came off the back of a brilliant year with his club Sevilla, picking up the UEFA Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Of course, he was also the star of their La Liga campaign, and carried Sevilla's title chase into the final day of the season.

He also played in the impressive Mali side that qualified for the African Cup of Nations, despite just recently being eliminated from the competition itself.

Upon receiving the award, Kanoute said: "I dedicate this to my family, who could not be here and to the people of Mali.

"I believe that sport can be used as a tool for development in Africa."

The award is voted for by the 53 national coaches of the CAF nations. Didier Drogba won the award last year, with Samuel Eto'o picking it up previously, three times in a row.

There has not been a winner from Mali since Salif Keita received the inaugural award in 1970.

Tell us what you think. Has justice been done in selecting him despite the fact that he does not play for a 'big' club? Or have more deserving people been ignored?

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com