What Is 1993 African Footballer of the Year

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1993 African Footballer of the Year was Abedi Pele of Ghana. He won the award for the third consecutive time, becoming the first player to achieve this feat.

Key Facts

Abedi Pele won the 1993 African Footballer of the Year award, his third in a row (1991, 1992, 1993).
He played as an attacking midfielder for Olympique de Marseille during the 1992–1993 season.
Marseille won the UEFA Champions League in 1993, though the title was later voided due to a scandal.
Abedi Pele is the only player to win the award three times consecutively.
The award was determined by votes from African sports journalists across the continent.

Overview

The 1993 African Footballer of the Year was awarded to Abedi Ayew, better known as Abedi Pele, marking a historic third consecutive win. This achievement made him the first and only player to date to win the prestigious honor three times in a row. His performance throughout the early 1990s, particularly in European club football, solidified his status as Africa's top player.

At the time of the award, Abedi Pele was playing for Olympique de Marseille in France’s Ligue 1. His leadership and creativity in midfield contributed to Marseille’s domestic and continental success, including winning the 1993 UEFA Champions League—though the title was later rescinded due to a match-fixing scandal. Despite this, his individual brilliance remained unquestioned.

Abedi Pele received the award in December 1993, following a voting process by African sports journalists from CAF-affiliated nations.
This was his third consecutive win, having previously won in 1991 and 1992, a record unmatched in the award's history.
He played a pivotal role for Olympique de Marseille during the 1992–1993 season, helping the club win the French Ligue 1 title.
Marseille also reached the 1993 UEFA Champions League final, defeating AC Milan 1–0, though the club was later stripped of the title.
Abedi Pele was renowned for his vision, passing range, and ability to control the tempo of the game from midfield.

How It Works

The African Footballer of the Year award, established by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1970, honors the continent’s best male player annually. Voting is conducted by sports journalists from CAF member countries, with points assigned based on rankings submitted.

Term: The award is officially known as the African Footballer of the Year and was the premier individual honor in African football until 2004.
Journalists from each of CAF’s 54 member nations submit ranked ballots listing their top five players.
Points are awarded as follows: 5 for first place, 4 for second, down to 1 for fifth, with the highest total winning.
The voting typically occurs in November, and the winner is announced in December after CAF tallies the results.
Eligible players include Africans competing in any league worldwide, provided they are registered with a CAF-affiliated national team.
The award was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by the CAF Player of the Year award, which includes regional categories.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top three finishers in the 1993 African Footballer of the Year voting:

Rank	Player	Nationality	Club (1993)	Key Achievement
1	Abedi Pele	Ghana	Olympique de Marseille	Won Ligue 1; reached Champions League final
2	George Weah	Liberia	Paris Saint-Germain	Top scorer in Ligue 1 with 15 goals
3	Mustapha Hadji	Morocco	AS Nancy	Key midfielder in French second division
4	Rashidi Yekini	Nigeria	Vitória de Setúbal	Top scorer in Portuguese league with 17 goals
5	Fuad Chafouk	Morocco	Raja CA	Helped Raja win Moroccan league title

While Abedi Pele won decisively, George Weah was rising in prominence and would go on to win the award in 1995. The competition reflected a shift in African talent spreading across European leagues, with players from France, Portugal, and North Africa dominating the rankings. The 1993 vote highlighted the growing influence of African midfielders in top-tier football.

Why It Matters

The 1993 award was significant not only for Abedi Pele’s personal legacy but also for African football as a whole. It underscored the continent’s growing presence in European football during the early 1990s, with African stars making decisive impacts at elite clubs.

Abedi Pele’s three-peat established a benchmark for excellence, inspiring future generations of African midfielders.
His success helped increase the visibility of African players in European leagues, paving the way for others.
The award highlighted the importance of midfield play, shifting focus from just goal scorers to creative leaders.
It also emphasized the role of African journalists in shaping continental football narratives.
Winning during Marseille’s Champions League campaign, despite its annulment, still carried immense prestige.
The 1993 win cemented Abedi Pele’s status as one of Africa’s greatest-ever footballers.

Today, Abedi Pele’s legacy lives on through his son, André Ayew, who has also represented Ghana internationally. The 1993 African Footballer of the Year award remains a landmark in the history of African sports recognition.