Eto'o eyes African final for club world cup and ‘special’ award
Ahmed Abd El Rasoul, Monday 13 Dec 2010
Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o hopes Congolese giants TP Mazembe beat Brazilian Internacional and face them in the 2010 FIFA club world cup final


“I hope we play TP Mazembe in the final. It will make our task easier for the title but it will also be a great joy for my continent Africa,” the Cameroonian striker told UAE-based newspaper “Al-Bayan”.

Eto’o has his sights on this year’s trophy after missing last year’s showdown as he moved from Barcelona to join Nerazzurri.

“I am here to fulfill one of my dreams that has been delayed as (Pep) Guardiola decided to let me go last year,” he added.

The Italian and European champions hope to bounce back in this competition after a recent series of stumbles. They will start their campaign on Wednesday, playing against Asian champions Seongnam.

“Seongnam’s large win over Al Wahda (4-1) in the quarter-finals will make our mission more difficult. They are a well-organised team, but Inter are still favourites to win the title and we must prove our worth.

“We are determined to get rid of our recent bad luck. Winning the world cup title will be good for a reconciliation with our angry fans and a fresh start for the team,” the three-time African player of the year said.

The fourth ‘special’ award

And one more time, Eto’o is the leading candidate to win this year’s African footballer of the year award after a blistering performance with Inter Milan.

“I’ve kept on working, but more than anything I always try to do better every year. I don’t just settle for hitting my best form; I try to do even better. If I win this year, it will mean just as much to me as my three previous wins (2003, 2004 and 2005), though it would be a little bit special”.

“I’m getting to the end of my career and every title means that bit more now. I’m getting older and I’m working hard to stay at the top, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to win any more trophies,” he concluded.

The 29-year old gifted marksman, who is seen as one of the best strikers in the world, is in the final sprint alongside Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan.

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