The Barcelona ace became only the third player to win the African award three times (2003, 2004, 2005), matching Ghanaian Abedi Pele’s feat in the early 1990s.

Eto’o beat out Chelsea duo Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast and Michael Essien of Ghana for the award.

The prolific striker, who will turn 25 next month, received 108 votes while Drogba came in a close second with 106 in the poll by the national coaches of the 52 member nations of CAF.

Both Drogba and Essien, who finished a distant third, did not attend the Gala.

Eto’o helped Barcelona win the Spanish Primera Liga title and came third in the vote for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year.

Nigeria teenager John Mikel Obi edged out compatriot Taye Taiwo with 29 votes to 28 to win the 2005 Young Player of the Year award.

Egypt’s Ahmed Samir Farag came in third.

Egypt did not come out empty handed though, as African champions Ahli finished as winners of Club of the Year for grabbing the Champions League and their impressive 55-match unbeaten run.

Ahli midfielder Mohamed Barakat, who won the 2005 BBC African Footballer award, was voted Inter-clubs Player of the Year.

World Cup debutants Ivory Coast were voted Team of the Year while Nigerian Stephen Keshi, who guided Togo to their first World Cup, was chosen Coach of the Year.

Ironically, Keshi was fired from his post in charge of Togo last week following the team’s first round exit from the African Cup of Nations that took place in Egypt last month.