Yazid Atouba Emane won the award for the 2nd time in a row, after showing much class and pace in the team's last warm-up game in Jinja last week against Uganda.

The soft-spoken Cotonsport forward's attitude was given a worldwide scale when he starred for the U20 team at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia in 2011.

His skill and offensive spirit earned him a stint in the MLS championship, but he came back home after a row between his manager and club officials over contract terms.

Atouba landed a Cotonsport Garoua place, with the pious hope of moving again, this time on a brighter side of an international career.

His award of yesterday notwithstanding, he showed character and humility when cornered for his impression about the award. "It is a fruit of hard work," he said, but gave credits to "my mates who made it possible for us to win the match and my trophy."