Cameroonian football legend Roger Milla has backed Ghanaian international defender Samuel Osei Kuffour to win the African Footballer of the Year ahead of the two other conenders for the award because of his impressive season with Bayern Munich.

Milla said Kuffour, a very good player who had a good season with Bayern deserves the award.

"He won the European Cup and the world club championship and I think he deserves it.

I am not saying this because I am in Ghana. I genuinely believe no African player has done as much as he has this season."

The Confederation of African Football has drawn up a shortlist of three players, Kuffour, Senegal's El-Hadj Diouf and Cameroon's Samuel Eto Fills.

The winner of the award currently held by Cameroon's Patrick Mboma of Parma will be announced at the CAF Awards Night in Johannesburg next March.

Milla's recommendation comes too late influence CAF's choice though. Members of the continental ruling body's Technical and Media Committee have already cast their votes and it is widely believed that Kuffour will win the award.