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by Piers Edwards

Samuel Eto'o should win the Â鶹Éç African Footballer of the Year title because it's a travesty that one of the finest players of his generation, not just in Africa but in the entire world, has never been so recognised.

But that's the weakest case for pushing the claims of a Cameroonian whose all-round footballing ability is often underestimated.

In May, Eto'o became the first player to win back-to-back trebles, guiding Inter to Champions League, league and cup success a year after doing the same with Barcelona.

In many ways, the achievement was more impressive since Eto'o was played out of position on the flanks – a role he nonetheless fulfilled with great responsibility and distinction.

Under Benitez, the Indomitable Lion has reminded the planet of his world-class predatory skills - his first 13 games in both Serie A and the Champions League yielding a coruscating 14 goals at the time of writing.

Cameroon's poor form is the only thing keeping Eto'o from the title – but is he to blame for Le Guen's dismal competition record of five defeats from seven matches at both the Nations Cup and World Cup?