Congratulations are in order for Sadio Mane who was crowned Men’s African Player of the Year in 2022 in Rabat Morocco. Though no Cameroonian received an award, the position occupied by Sadio Mane was held by Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010.
Below are some Cameroonians who have been recognized as African’s best player since 1970.
Thomas N’kono (1979-1982)
He received the France Football African Footballer of the Year Award in 1982 and 1979, thanks to his performance in the FIFA World Cup played in that country. N’kono played with Canon Yaoundé and Tonnerre Yaoundé.
N’kono to date remains the only goalkeeper to have won Africa’s footballer of the year award and is one of the greatest goalkeepers to have ever sprung from the continent of Africa.
He played in three world cups, 1982, 1990and 1994.He retired in his 40’s and at club Bolivar from Bolivia and returned to his main club as a goal keeping coach.
Roger Milla (1976-1990)
Milla was one of the Cameroonian Players to be major stars on the International stage, he played in three world cups for Cameroon and remarkably left his mark in the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Before his Award-Winning 1990 football year, Milla’s performances in the African Cup Winners Cup (now CAF Confederations Cup), saw him named the African Footballer of the year in 1976.
Samuel Eto’o (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010)
Samuel Eto’o remains the record holder he won the 2009 UEFA Champions League final and is the second player in history to score in two UEFA Champions League Finals.
He was the center of attraction in 2003, 2005 and 2010, thanks to his performances in Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter Milan.
While in Camp Nou he scored 130 goals helping them earn la liga title in 2005 and 2009.He won the Italian Double in 2010 and the FIFA World Cup. This beautiful performance helped him pick up his fourth African Footballer of the year award in 2010.