Algeria and FC Porto winger, Yacine Brahimi, was on Monday announced as the winner of the 2014 BBC African Footballer of the Year ahead of Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama.
The Lille of France safe hands was expected to emulate Austin Jay Jay Okocha who won the 2004 edition as the second Nigerian to be so crowned.
Enyeama’s speculative form for both country and club in the outgoing year was expected to sway the fans who voted in the 207 FIFA-registered countries in his favour.
The 24-year-old Brahimi became the first Algerian to win the award, which is decided by football fans.
Shortly after he was announced as the winner of the 2014 edition, the Porto winger told BBC Sport: “It’s a big honour for me to receive this wonderful trophy. I owe it to my country, Algeria, and to all the people who voted for me.
“It’s also a trophy for the whole of Africa, because it rewards an African player. So I am really very happy.”
Agency report