Mali striker Frederic Kanoute was named the 2007 African Football of the Year, to become the first European-born to win the award. The Sevilla frontman beat off competition from Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien to earn the prize. "I dedicate this to my family, who could not be here, and to the people of Mali," Kanoute said. The votes of coaches from 53 African countries determine the winner, under the supervision of Confederation of African Football (CAF). The French-born Kanoute, 30, helped Sevilla win the UEFA Cup for the second successive season as well as guiding the Andalusian side to King's Cup triumph. He also played a pivotal role in Mali's qualification to the African Cup of Nations but his country suffered a first-round exit.
