King Kanoute Rules In Africa

Feb 3 2008

SEVILLA striker Frederic Kanoute has edged out Chelsea stars Didier Drogba and Michael Essien to land the African Footballer of the Year award.

Kanoute plays for Mali but was brought up in France and is the first European-born player to scoop the prize.

Ivory Coast ace Drogba helped send Mali spinning out of the Africa Cup of Nations last week and Kanoute reckons the Blues hitman will have the last laugh by lifting the trophy next weekend.

He said: "Ivory Coast are favourites. They have a good bench and it is easy for them once they are leading."

Ivory Coast take on Guinea in the quarter-finals today while Essien's Ghana tackle Berti Vogts' Nigeria.

The other last-eight clashes take place tomorrow with holders Egypt up against surprise package Angola and Tunisia facing Cameroon.