14th January, 2014
Taiwo Adelu
Nigeria’s coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi failed to cast his vote for eventual winner of the 2013 Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
A check by P.M.NEWS Sports on FIFA’s website on how national team coaches, captains and sports journalists of world football body’s affiliated associations voted for the Ballon d’Or winner revealed that Keshi cast his vote for Ivorian star, Yaya Toure, who won the 2013 Glo-CAF Footballer award in his first round of voting to give him five points.
He voted for German Frank Ribery and Luis Suarez in the second and third round of voting to give them three and one point respectively.
Unlike his head coach, Super Eagles’ captain, Vincent Enyeama voted for Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and Ribery in the first, second and third places respectively.
The Nigerian journalist, Audu Samm, voted as the media representative and he cast his number one position vote in favour of Messi, Ronaldo for second and the Colombian striker Falcao Radamel who plays for AS Monaco in the third place.
In the case of some other Africa nations, Ivorian captain, Didier Drogba voted for Toure, Messi and Ronaldo respectively, while his coach, Lamouchi Sabri cast his vote for Ribery, Ronaldo and Toure in that order.
For Samuel Eto’o Fils of Cameroon, his votes went to Toure, Messi and Hazard Eden, Belgian footballer, who plays for English club Chelsea respectively, while his coach Finke Volker pitched tent with Ribery, Ronaldo and Iniesta Andres respectively.
Ronaldo, Ribery and Swedish and PSG of France player Zlatan Ibrahimovic got the votes of Egypt captain, Gomma Wael respectively, while his coach, American Bradley Bob voted for Ronaldo, Zlatan and Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United, Robin Van Persie in that order.
South African coach, Igesung Gordon voted Ronaldo first, and Messi and Brazilian Neymar in the second and third round of voting respectively, while his captain, Khune Itumeleng voted for Ronaldo, Ribery and Toure in that order.
An emotional Cristiano Ronaldo won his second life time FIFA World male player of the year 2013. He beat Messi and Ribery; he had last won in 2008, while still playing for Manchester United.