The 28-year-old - one of the few Nigerians to emerge with credit from their first round exit at the World Cup finals last year - edged out West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie and Spain-based Kalu Uche in a poll organised by television station African Independent Television.

Enyeama, who has been Nigeria's first choice since 2002, plays his club football for Hapoel Tel Aviv - prevented Uzbekistan-born Odemwingie from winning the prestigious award for a second successive year.

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan was rewarded for his outstanding displays at the World Cup, where his country were Africa's only representatives in the knockout stages and lost on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals, with a special award at the ceremony staged in Port Harcourt.

Other winners included Okey Emordi (coach of the Year), Desire Oparanozie (Women's Footballer of the Year) and Enyimba (club of the year).

Among all outstanding players "Enyeama wins Nigerian player of the year award".