However, the national associations would only participate in the voting process after CAF selects a five-man shortlist for the award.
The list would then be forwarded to the national associations, who can only vote for the players nominated by CAF. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o Fils is the 2003 Player of the Year and his successor will be named at the next edition of the African football awards, which takes place in South Africa in February 2005.
In a separate development, Nigerian club Enyimba will not be allowed to stage the second leg of the Champions League final at their Aba ground should they defeat Tunisia’s Esperance in the semi-final. CAF said it took the decision because of concerns over security at the ground and the quality of the pitch. “If Enyimba reach the finals, they will have to play in Lagos or Abuja,” Fahmy confirmed. The winner of the 2005 Champions League will be Africa’s representatives at the 2005 FIFA World Club Championship in Japan.
This means that the Champions League final will be played in November of that year, instead of December, to ensure that Africa’s representatives can compete in the FIFA competition. (BBC)
