By Gracious Akujobi Algerian Yacine Brahimi has been voted BBC African Footballer of the year 2014.
The 24-year-old midfielder who edged out Nigeria’s captain Vincent Enyeama becomes the first Algerian to win the award, which is decided by football fans.
After receiving the trophy the Porto winger said “It’s a big honour for me to receive this wonderful trophy. I owe it to my country, Algeria, and to all the people who voted for me.
“It’s also a trophy for the whole of Africa, because it rewards an African player. So I am really very happy.”
Both Brahimi and Enyeama starred as their countries reached the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A record number of votes were submitted from fans in 207 FIFA recognised countries and Brahimi came out on top ahead of Nigerian Vincent Enyeama, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ivorian pair Gervinho and Yaya Toure.
Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha was the last Nigerian that won the trophy in the year 2003 and 2004
