By Patrick Akoto
Former Ghana Football Association chairman Benjamin Koufie says he will be surprised if Asamoah Gyan does not win the 2010 African Footballer of the year award.
The Sunderland hit man is the front runner for the coveted accolade at Monday's Gala in Cairo, Egypt but faces competition from Eto'o Fils and Didier Drogba.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an amazing career for both club and country under the year in review.
"The World Cup has much pedigree than the Champions League in Europe and for that if you look at his performance in that particular competition, he stands tall among his competitors," Koufie said.
"It will be a bit of a surprise it elude him because I believe he showed it at the African Nations Cup and the World cup and even with his current team Sunderland."
Gyan helped Ghana grab silver at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations before sending the Black Stars to the last eight of the World Cup finals.
He has bagged six goals in the English Premier League since his club record signing to Sunderland.
Gyan scooped the BBC African Footballer of the year award last Friday.