Blackburn Rover's South African international, Bennedict McCarthy has been voted the English Premier League's African Player of the Month for January.
It's been an unusual season so far for the Premier League's African contingent. Injury and inconsistency have sidelined some of the usual suspects to shine, but every cloud has a silver lining, this has allowed some of Africa's lesser known players to come out of their shadows and earn their time in the spotlight.
Not that Benni McCarthy is a stranger to success. He comes with a fearsome goalscoring record and international pedigree but last season he struggled to find the net as easily as he had in a prolific first season in English football.
Now after losing two managers in quick succession, and then suffering the shock of his father's death late last year, he looks to have found some form and his scoring touch, fighting his way back into the first team and forming an effective partnership with Jason Roberts. In January he scored twice including a late equalizer against Big Sam's old charges Bolton. That brace takes his total to 7 goals in just 10 appearances in the 08/09 season.
His fellow South African Chris Samba has also impressed in defence for Rovers this season and continues to win fans in Blackburn and admirers beyond.
The vote was conducted amongst journalists around the world, particularly in Africa and England.
McCarthy will be presented with his award sometime in the coming weeks when we will be able to engage him in a chat about his award, life in the Premier League, andhis hopes for the World Cup in South Africa 2010.
The Premier League African Player of the Month award is a creation of the New African Soccer Group. A winner will be awarded each month and it will be climaxed at the end of the season with a Player of the Year Awards event in London.