Akwa gets top sportsman award

Fabrice Akwa's goal helped Angola qualify for the World Cup

Angola captain Fabrice Akwa has been named the country's top sportsman of the year.

The 28-year-old striker, who is now without a club after having his contract in Qatar cancelled, was handed the award at a ceremony in Luanda on Wednesday.

Akwa scored the only goal of the final Group 4 game in Rwanda last October that enabled Angola to finish ahead of Nigeria and qualify for their maiden World Cup finals.

AS Aviacao defender Jamba was named Angola's best home-based player while Ahly winger Gilberto was deemed the country's best foreign-based footballer.

The awards were organised by Angolan radio.

It is the second successive year that Gilberto has taken this award after helping his Egyptian club to win last year's African Champions League.

Ze Kalanga was named newcomer of the year and he is expected to be part of the country's squad at the World Cup finals in Germany.

Angola have been grouped with Portugal, Mexico and Iran for the tournament.