Essien Miss African footballer of the year award

Drogba rules Africa
Ivorian and Chelsea striker, Didier Dorgba, last night, emerged winner of the Glo-CAF African footballer of the year award for the year 2009. This makes it the second time that the 32-year-old former Marseille forward, would be scooping the prestigious award after claiming the top gong in 2006.

At a colourful ceremony at the State House in Accra, the leading Chelsea goal-scorer, beat off stiff oppositions from Cameroon and Inter Milan striker, Samuel Eto’O and Ghana and Chelsea teammate, Michael Essien to the second and third positions respectively.

The award marks another milestone for Drogba, who led the Elephants to another World Cup qualification in South Africa.

Born 11 March 1978 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Drogba has remained a tremendous success since he moved to England from France. He has scored more goals for Chelsea than any other foreign player and is currently Chelsea’s 8th highest goal scorer of all time.

After playing in youth teams, Drogba made his professional debut aged 18 for Ligue 2 club Le Mans. A late bloomer, he signed his first professional contract aged 21 but it was not until the 2002–03 season that he realised his potential, scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances in Ligue 1 for Guingamp. During the same season he made his first international appearance for Côte d’Ivoire in September and scored his first international goal the following February. He moved to Olympique de Marseille in 2003 for £3.3 million and his prolific ways continued, finishing as the third highest scorer in the league with 19 goals and

Best African player on the continent 2009

Mputu Mabi (T.P. Mazembe and DR Congo)

Young Player of the Year 2009

Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan and Ghana U-20)

Coach of the Year 2009

Sellas Tetteh (Ghana U-20)

Supporters Club of the Year 2009

South Africa

Club of the Year 2009

T.P. Mazembe (DR Congo)

National Team of the Year 2009

Algeria

Fair Play Award 2009 goes to Al-Hilal supporters

African Legends:

Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) Jules Bocandé (Senegal) Jesus Oliveira (Angola)

African Footballer of the Year 2009

Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire)