Sixteen votes, which might have been enough to secure Egypt's Mohamed Abu Treika the best African football player award, were not cast. Inas Mazhar delves into the mystery Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor made history by becoming the first Togolese to be crowned African Footballer of the Year. Adebayor, who celebrates his 25th birthday on 26 February, will also receive $20,000 for the historic feat. The winner was decided by votes from the coaches of the national football associations affiliated to the African football federation, or CAF. But the bigger news as far as Egyptians were concerned, was the player who did not win, their own Ahli midfield star Mohamed Abu Treika. Egyptians believe the award this year should have gone to Abu Treika who was awarded instead the best local-based African player, the Inter-Club award. The Inter-Club award is newly- created, some say to save face after CAF was accused of favouring famous players playing outside the continent. In the past few years CAF had been accused of ignoring talented African players who play in the continent. "I'm happy with the Inter-Club award and believe I won it because of my achievements. I'm also happy for my club. I would never have made it without my club or the national team. I believe Adebayor deserved winning the award as best African player. He is a great player," said Abu Treika. Though Abu Treika showed no sign of discontent over the result, Egyptians are angry, with some believing in a conspiracy theory. What increased suspicions was the number of coaches who voted, which mysteriously dwindled from 53 to 37, the numbers appearing on the CAF website. The odd disappearance of the 16 votes raised many questions: did the coaches vote or not? If not, why? And if yes, why weren't their votes tabulated and for whom did they vote? CAF officials claim they received only 37 faxes from 37 countries while the remaining 16 sent nothing. But observers say the CAF should have asked why. If the problem was technical and fax machines were down, the CAF could have arranged to collect the votes by phone. The win for Adebayor meant that Mahmoud El-Khatib remains the only Egyptian to have been voted the best in Africa, in 1983. At any rate, Egyptians were somewhat consoled by dominating the better part of the awards ceremony, raking in five awards at the gala which was held in Lagos, Nigeria. Ahli was voted the best club while their fans were rewarded with the Best Supporters Club. The Egyptian national team, the Pharaohs, claimed the National Team of the Year and its manager Hassan Shehata won the Coach of the Year prize. "It's an honour for Egypt first before being an honour to me. The prize places more responsibility on me to continue leading Egypt to the World Cup. This is my target and the aim and ambition of all Egyptians," said Shehata. Cote d'Ivoire forward Salomon Kalou grabbed the Young Player of the Year award with South Africa's Alice Mattlou netting the Women's Footballer of the Year award. Nigeria had the best supporters in the national team category. ASEC Mimosas President Roger Ouegnin was presented with the Merit Order of Achievement for his contribution to the development of youth football on the continent. Former CAF Executive Committee members Farah Addo of Somalia and Nigerian Oyo Orok Oyo Etubom, both of whom died last year, received the Merit Order of Achievement award posthumously. Nigeria President Umar Musa Yar'Adua was presented with the Platinum Award. South African artiste Yvonne Chakachaka, King Mensah from Togo, P-Square from Nigeria and Senegalese Youssou N'Dour entertained the guests. CAF also selected the best team in Africa: Goalkeeper - Carlos Idriss Kameni (Espanyol and Cameroon) Defenders - Wael Gomaa (Ahli and Egypt), Ismail Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille and Nigeria), Joseph Yobo (Everton and Nigeria), John Mensah (Olympique Lyon and Ghana) Midfielders - Mohamed Abu Treika (Ahli and Egypt), Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana), Yaya Toure (Barcelona and Cote d'Ivoire), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan and Ghana) Attackers - Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona and Spain), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo) CAF's agenda was busy with the General Assembly meeting and elections which took place the following day. CAF President Issa Hayatou was re-elected to head the continental soccer governing body for four more years. The incumbent's position was confirmed by acclamation on Wednesday during the 31st CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Lagos. His tenure will last until 2013. Hayatou, who has served as president of CAF since 1988, was unanimously unopposed in his bid to remain at the helm of the confederation with his impressive contribution to the development of the game being the measuring rod. Hayatou, who automatically serves as FIFA vice-president by virtue of being CAF president, pledged his unflinching support to help raise Africa to an enviable height. He was presented a pennant by UEFA President Michel Platini. FIFA President Sepp Blatter and other delegates also congratulated Hayatou on his achievement. There were also elections for CAF Executive Committee members and the African representative on the FIFA Executive Committee. Amadou Diakite (Mali) and Amos Adamu (Nigeria) were elected unopposed to represent the West Zone A and Zone B respectively in the CAF Executive Committee. Algerian Mohamed Raouraoua was elected the Northern Zone's representative following the withdrawal of Jamal El-Jaafari. Suketu Patel of Seychelles on the Southern Zone's ticket replaced Kalusha Bwalya who also pulled out. For the Central Zone, Adoum Djibrine of Chad maintained his seat by defeating Leon Ababe of Gabon. Djibrine collected 40 votes to Ababe's seven. Burundi's Lydie Nsekera also failed in her bid to become the first female on the CAF Executive Committee after Magdi Shameddin of Sudan claimed the Central-East Zone slot. Shameddin pulled in 43 votes while Lydie bagged seven in the two-man race following the withdrawal of Hussein Fadoul of Djibouti. Shameddin will replace Moses Baransananiye of Burundi as the Central-East Zone's representative on the CAF Executive Committee. For the position of Africa's representative on the FIFA Executive Committee, Hani Abou Rida of Egypt claimed the slot with 43 votes against nine for incumbent Selim Chiboub of Tunisia.All the elected candidates will serve until 2013. "We are all happy with Abou Rida's victory," said EFA President Samir Zaher. "It's time Egypt regained its seat at the FIFA executive board. The seat had been lost to Chiboub after the death of Egypt's former EFA president Mohamed Ahmed who passed away 15 years ago. "We're all proud of Abu Rida and trust he will not only serve African football but Egyptian as well during his four-year term," said Zaher. "Egypt winning five CAF awards proves that we are really the best and no one should have any doubts about that. Our results and performances prove it. This has all come through hard work, not only technically on the pitch but there is a strong and professional management that has been working behind the scenes to pave the way for all to go forward and excel," Zaher said. "I'm really happy Egypt is back in the FIFA Executive Committee. I'll officially begin work in May at the Congress and I'm really looking forward to it," said Abu Rida. "It was a tough competition at the elections but I guess all Egyptian officials, even non-sports officials, have been working hard with me in my campaign and I would like to thank all those who have supported me in the last few months. "Meanwhile, I'll have to prepare myself and arrange my papers to be ready by May to represent the African continent within the FIFA Executive Committee," said Abu Rida. The general assembly also approved the budget for the year for the period 7 January 2007 to 30 June 2008. In his opening address, Hayatou tasked South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, respective hosts of the FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA U-17 and FIFA U-20 World Cups this year to organise tournaments that will erase doubts about Africa's ability to stage a successful World Cup in 2010. FIFA President Blatter also expressed optimism in Africa's abilities to stage successful tournaments in this year's competitions to serve as a prelude to the World Cup.
