African Player Of The Year

 

African Footballer of the Year. The award was established by the French magazine 'France Football' in 1970. In the first issue the winner was European-based star – somerthing not to happen again until 1982! Also there was no Moroccan player among the top 3 – rather strange, since Morocco played at the 1970 World Cup. Anyhow, in the first issue of the award Ali Abo Greisha (Ismaily, Egypt) was 3^rd with 28 points.

Laurent Pokou (ASEC Abijan, Cote d'Ivoire) was second also with 28 points.

Salif Keita, 24-years old striker of French champion Saint Etienne, was voted number one in Africa with points. He was born in Bamako, which was then in French Sudan. The independence changed the name to Mali and that country he represented both in Europe and Africa.

In 1967 Keita, only 20-years old, joined Saint Etienne and instantly became a star, scoring many goals.

By 1970 Keita was among the best European stars, contributing greatly for the success of his club in the second half of the 1960s. It is worth mentioning that in the 5 years with St. Etienne he played 149 games, scoring 125 goals. He was also regular member of the national team of Mali, making his debut in 1963, when he was only 16-years old. It was more than fair to be voted best African player in 1970.