Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan was delighted to be part of the African awards ceremony.
Gyan chartered a jet this week to fly to Egypt for the African Footballer of the Year award ceremony, only to lose out to Samuel Eto'o.
"I had to be there," he said. "The airports were shut because of the snow but I was in Manchester and managed to get out. It was really important for me.
"I was really proud. Although I didn't win I was the people's choice in the BBC award. When the people are behind you it's fine."
Gyan is unsurprisingly popular at the Stadium of Light too, his flair and goals delighting fans.
"'I've won the hearts of the fans and that's important,' he said. 'When the fans are behind you, you have confidence to do anything. I think the coach is quite impressed with my performances.
"It was much harder than I thought at the start. I came here, I would say, 30 per cent fit but I scored on my debut. I'm getting better, I'm fit to play 90 minutes."
