Odemwingie beats Gyan to EPL African Player of the Year

Accra, May 21, GNA - Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie has beaten Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan to the English Premier League African Player of the season 2010/2011.

Odemwingie garnered the most votes in a poll conducted by renowned football magazine, New African Soccer that saw readers, journalists and African players in the Premier League take part.

A statement from the organizers, New African Soccer copied to GNA Sports said the Nigerian emerged tops in the poll conducted by the website with over one million voters.

"Odemwingie, who plays for West Bromwich Albion FC polled highest over Ghana's Sunderland player Asamoah Gyan who came second, and Manchester City's Ivorian star Yaya Toure in third place," the statement said.

The 29-year old Nigerian had been in spectacular form for West Brom scoring 15 times in his first season as well as being voted Premier League Player of the months of September 2010 and April 2011.

Chelsea's Ivorian Salomon Kalou and West Ham's Nigerian striker Victor Obinna complete the top five in the poll.

"A ceremony that would bestow the award and recognition on the players will be hosted by New African Soccer at a date to be determined soon," the statement concluded.