Brahimi Wins 2014 BBC African Footballer Of The Year Award

Yacine Brahimi is voted BBC African Footballer of the Year.

The Algerian winger received the most votes to beat closest rival Vincent Enyeama to a first-place finish.

“I dedicate the award to my family, all the African countries, but especially my country, Algeria,” the FC Porto winger told the BBC World News.

“This trophy is going to give me some strength, the desire to learn and also some inspiration for some great performance.”

Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who plays for Borussia Dortmund and Ivorian pair Gervinho of AS Roma and Manchester City’s Yaya Toure were also in the race.

Brahimi is the First Porto Player to Score a Champions League Hat-Trick. Image: AFP/Getty.
Brahimi is the First Porto Player to Score a Champions League Hat-Trick. Image: AFP/Getty.

Toure claimed the gong in 2013. Only Austin ‘jay jay’Okocha has claimed the award twice in history.

Brahimi is also in contention for the Caf Footballer of the Year 2014 award, having made the final cut.

Brahimi was member of the Algerian squad which reached the last-16 of the world cup for the first time. The 24-year-old winner scored his first international goal in the 4-2 victory over South Korea in the group stage.

Brahimi started the year at Spanish club Granada, where his impressive showing earned him the recognition of the best African player in the La Liga for the 2013-14 season.

He joined Portuguese club Porto after the World Cup. He has scored six goals in 15 appearances for his new club.

Brahimi is much favoured to feature at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with Algeria. The tournament billed for Equatorial Guinea is scheduled for January 17 through to February 8.

Brahimi said: “The African Cup of Nations will be a huge inspiration for me and I hope it can drive myself and Algeria on to great things at the tournament in the new year.”