What Is 1981 African Footballer of the Year

Overview

The 1981 African Footballer of the Year was a pivotal moment in the history of African football recognition, awarded to Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell. This honor, conferred by the French publication France Football, recognized Bell's standout performances during a year where African talent was gaining greater visibility on the global stage.

Despite being a goalkeeper—a position rarely awarded such individual accolades—Bell's consistency, leadership, and shot-stopping ability earned him the prestigious title. His victory sparked debate, as many believed Tunisian goalkeeper Chokri El Ouaer deserved the honor after leading Tunisia to strong continental performances.

• Joseph-Antoine Bell became the first Cameroonian goalkeeper to win the award, marking a rare achievement for a non-striker.
• The award was determined by votes from 32 African sports journalists, each selecting their top three players.
• Bell played for Union Douala in 1981, helping the club reach the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs.
• He was also a key figure in Cameroon’s national team, which remained undefeated in 12 of 14 matches during the calendar year.
• Chokri El Ouaer finished second, receiving 18 first-place votes compared to Bell’s 21, making it one of the closest finishes in the award’s history.

How It Works

The African Footballer of the Year award, established in 1965 by France Football, was modeled after the Ballon d'Or and aimed to honor the best African player each year based on performance, influence, and sportsmanship.

• Voting Panel: A panel of journalists from 32 African nations voted, each submitting a ranked list of three players.
• Scoring System: First-place votes earned 5 points, second-place votes earned 3, and third-place votes earned 1.
• Eligibility: Only players of African nationality competing in any league worldwide were eligible for consideration.
• Deadline: Voting concluded in December 1981, with results announced in early January 1982.
• Position Bias: Historically, attackers dominated the award; Bell’s win as a goalkeeper was an exception.
• Controversy: Some Tunisian and North African journalists claimed voting irregularities, citing El Ouaer’s superior stats.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five finishers in the 1981 African Footballer of the Year voting:

The table highlights how narrowly Bell won, with only three first-place votes separating him from El Ouaer. Both goalkeepers broke the mold of forward-dominated winners. The absence of future stars like George Weah, who was still in his teens, underscores the award’s focus on current impact. Midfielder Ali Jabbar’s third-place finish reflected Algeria’s rising profile in African football. Though legends like Salif Keïta were no longer active, their legacy influenced voter sentiment.

Why It Matters

The 1981 award remains significant for reshaping perceptions about which positions deserve recognition in individual football honors. Bell’s win challenged the notion that only goal scorers could be deemed most valuable.

• It highlighted the growing defensive sophistication in African football, with goalkeepers gaining strategic importance.
• Bell’s win inspired a generation of African goalkeepers, including Thomas N’Kono and Essam El-Hadary.
• The controversy prompted France Football to later revise voting transparency procedures in 1983.
• It underscored regional divides in African football, with North vs. Central Africa voting patterns evident.
• The award helped increase media coverage of African leagues, especially in Cameroon and Tunisia.
• It contributed to the eventual creation of the African Player of the Year award by CAF in 1992.

Ultimately, the 1981 African Footballer of the Year award was more than a personal honor—it was a milestone in the evolution of African football’s recognition, professionalism, and continental unity.