LUANDA, April 20 - Angola captain Akwa was named
the country's top sportsman for 2005 at a ceremony in Luanda on
Wednesday.
The 28-year-old striker, who is searching for a club after
having his contract in Qatar cancelled, was handed the award
after scoring the goal that ensured a first World Cup finals
place for Angola.
Akwa got the only goal of the win in Rwanda last October
that enabled Angola to finish ahead of Nigeria in their
qualifying group.
AS Aviacao defender Jamba was named Angola's best home-based
player and the Al Ahli winger Gilberto as the country's best
foreign-based footballer.
The awards were organised by Angolan radio.
It was the second successive year that Gilberto had taken
his award after helping his Egyptian club to win last year's
African Champions League.
Ze Kalanga was named newcomer of the year. He is also
expected to be part of the country's squad at the World Cup
finals in Germany starting on June 9 where Angola have been
grouped with Portugal, Mexico and Iran.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Johannesburg)