How Wanyama, Williamson voted at Ballon d’Or
Kenya’s two main participants at the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or gala differed in opinion on the world’s best player at the moment.
The event was staged at a glittering gala award ceremony on Monday evening, with Real Madrid and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo beating his fierce rival Lionel Messi and German keeper Manuel Neur for the top award.
The award’s eventual winner is decided through a voting process consisting all of FIFA’s member nations and coaches and the media.
In Kenya, Harambee Stars coach Robert “Bobby” Williamson selected Germany and Bayern Munich’s Neur, perhaps in recognition of the custodian’s heroics between the sticks for his national team at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and title-winning challenge for his club.
EVENTUAL WINNER
Williamson, then opted for Barcelona’s Andreas Iniesta and Chelsea forward Diego Costa as his second and third choice players for this award.
Stars Captain Victor Wanyama, meanwhile, chose eventual winner Ronaldo for the ultimate gong, whilst opting for fellow African ace Yaya Toure as his second most preferred candidate, with Messi third.
The Daily Nation‘s Charles Nyende, who is the only Kenyan journalist allowed to vote at the event, was the only one from Team Kenya, who picked the three eventual nominees, preferring Cristiano Ronaldo, Manuel Neur and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, a former Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon player, was instrumental through his 69 goals through the calendar year, in helping Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League title last year.