It's reached that time of year again, where individual accolades are set to be handed out to players for their performances over the course of the year. Today, I want to discuss the African Player of the Year 2014.
Yesterday, the BBC released a five-man shortlist for the award, which had Yaya Toure, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Vincent Enyeama, Gervinho and Yacine Brahimi as the candidates to win this year's award. Who deserves it the most?
Vincent Enyeama
The Nigerian goalkeeper was incredible with Lille last season and kept 21 clean sheets in 2013/14. He's easily the best goalkeeper in Africa right now, despite the poor form of the Nigerian National Team in both the World Cup, as well as AFCON qualifiers. But goalkeepers are more often than not overlooked for awards like this, and I just don't see him standing a chance of winning the award.
Gervinho
Roma's 27-year-old winger was a key part of the team last season with nine goals and 10 assists in 33 Serie A appearances. Two goals at this summer's World cup, as well as an assist belied the Ivory Coast's poor showing at the summer tournament. He has also grabbed a goal and three assists in this season's Serie A, proving himself, again to be a key part of Roma's attack. More impressively, he has three goals and an assist in the UEFA Champions League
Yaya Toure
By far the favourite to win the award, Yaya Toure scored an incredible 20 goals from midfield for Manchester City in their title winning Premier League campaign last season, and he also managed nine assists. However, he failed to make an impact at the World Cup with no goals or assists. Only two goals and one assist this season in all competitions has shown that he has not been able to continue his incredible form from last season.
Yacine Brahimi
Algeria's 24-year-old attacking midfielder, Yacine Brahimi, was Granada's best player last season, despite only scoring three goals and making four assists for the Spanish team. He was recognized as La Liga's best African player last season, and his exploits earned him a move to Portuguese giants, FC Porto, who he has scored five goals for this season, which includes a hat-trick on the opening night of this season's Champions League. However, his best performances have been for Algeria. In addition to his two goals in the AFCON qualifiers, Brahimi scored a memorable goal at this summer's World Cup and grabbed an assist, playing a key role in their progression into the round of 16 stage (the only African team to make it that far).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a truly fantastic striker, and has scored 11 times in 21 appearances for club and country this season, making three assists as well. Thirteen goals in 21 Bundesliga starts last season shows that he is capable of maintaining his current form. The Gabon striker is one of the fastest forwards in the game. Unfortunately his country didn't qualify for the World Cup.
In conclusion, I think that Yaya Toure will be gathering the most votes, not only because he was superb on an individual level last season, but also because he won more silverware than the other candidates.
Who do you think should be named the African Player Of The Year 2014?
