Have your say: Can an African player win the World Best again?

Last week I sat through the Airtel Rising Stars clinic at the Lizzy Sports complex here in Accra.

The main guest at the clinic was Arsenal legend Ray Palour who was part of the famous Arsenal ‘invincibles’ that went through a whole league campaign unbeaten.

Ray Palour in his attempt to inspire the young aspiring footballers at the clinic recounted his hay days and how his African team mates made a good impression on the English league.

He also relived how players such as Kanu Nwankwo, Tony Yeaboah and JJ Okocha took the EPL by storm back in the day.

His commendations of our African brothers dawned on me and saw me asking myself one simple question. Can an African player win the World Best player award again and how soon will that be?

George Oppong Weah was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995, becoming the only African player to win the award. He also won the European Player of the Year in 1995, becoming the only African to win the award.

Since that enviable feat no African player has come close to equaling it. If my memory serves me right and I stand to be corrected, i think Samuel Eto is perhaps the one who came closest to winning it during his days at Barcelona but he placed third (3rd).

So today on have your say we are asking; can an African player win the World Best player or Balon d’Or again and how soon would that be? Have your say and let’s get talking.