Former West Ham star Frederic Kanoute has said Mohammed Kudus has the potential to win the African footballer of the year award.

Kudus has won many admirers in his debut season for West Ham, scoring 13 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions. In his debut appearances at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Kudus scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Egypt.

These performances have won him many admirers, including the 2007 CAF Player of the Year, Kanoute.

‘‘He is really, really talented. He has everything, he has strength, running forwards, he can play different positions. Still quite young and I think he is one of the most exciting African players around these days. So yes, he definitely has a chance for me,’’ Kanoute said on the Irons Podcast.

Frederic Kanoute scored 27 goals in 76 appearances for West Ham United from 2000 to 2003.

At international level, Kanoute scored 23 goals in 38 appearances for Mali from 2004 to 2010.