Cameroon's Samuel ETO'O won't be headed to the 2006 Men's World Cup [except as a spectator], but he has consolation of a sort with the 2005 African Player of the Year award. The prolific forward, who has already scored 18 goals this season for Barcelona, won the closest vote in the award's history. Eto'o totalled 108 points, with Didier DROGBA of Côte d’Ivoire second at 106 and Michael ESSIEN of Ghana third at 50. Other CAF awards included the Young Player of the Year [John Obi MICHEL, Nigeria], Female Player of the Year [Perpetua NKWOCHA, Nigeria], Coach of the Year [Stephen KESHI, Togo], and National Team of the Year [Côte d'Ivoire].

All five CAF second round groups were decided on SAT 08 OCT 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of FRI 02-SUN 04 SEP 2005. more...

The 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship was Argentina's party as they won the final 2-1 against Nigeria in Utrecht, Netherlands. Lionel MESSI not only earned Argentina's two penalties, he converted each personally, his fifth and sixth of the tournament. In addition to the Golden Boot, he also earned the Golden Ball as the tournament's top player. Brazil won the third place match 2-1 against Morocco.

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of SAT 18-SUN 19 JUN 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR 2005. more...

Samuel ETO'O, Cameroon forward, won the 2004 African Player of the Year award, making it his second straight year receiving Africa's top honour. So far this season, he has scored 17 goals for his club, Spain's Barcelona, leading them to the top of the Primera Liga. Eto'o led the voting of CAF member nations with Didier DROGBA of Côte d’Ivoire in second and Jay-Jay OKOCHA of Nigeria in third. Tunisia's Ali BOUMNIJEL was selected as the Goalkeeper of the Year, with his nation's African Cup of Nations title earning them Team of the Year status. Nigeria's Obafemi MARTINS was the Young Player of the Year.