Who Rules Africa? Best African player?

[Jager]

Awenlimobor Sylvester examines the pros and cons of each of the candidates for the BBC's African Footballer of the Year award...


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The five shortlisted candidates for this year's BBC African Footballer of the year awards have been announced by the BBC, with last year's holder given pride of place.

Topping the list is Chelsea of England and Ghanaian midfield ace Michael Essien, who many believe should retain the crown he won last year considering the pivotal role he played for both club and country under the period in review.

Michael Essien - who, by the way, is still Africa's most expensive player - was an integral feature of Jose Mourinho's "efficient" Chelsea last season. His discipline on the field has in the other hand come under serious question in recent times, and this could well put a dent on the former Olympic Lyonnais strongman's chances of clinching a back-to-back award in his country next year.

Also making the final cut was Essien's teammate at Chelsea, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba.

Drogba was an influential figure for the Blues last season, scoring vital goals along the way, not least the winner in Chelsea's FA cup victory over rivals Manchester United. But recently he has had series of misunderstandings with the Premiership outfit, stemming from the exit of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho. Nonetheless, of all the shortlisted players, he will pose the greatest challenge to Michael Essien's run to retaining the title.

The most surprising name on the five-man list is undoubtedly that of Samuel Eto'o Fils (pictured), who has hardly done any notable field work this year. The Cameroonian striker has consistently battled with injury for a great part of 2007 and speculations are rife that his inclusion is solely based on the fact that he was chosen as the face of the 2010 World Cup, and perhaps his leading role in the fight against racism.

Taking nothing away from Eto'o - after all, we know of his blistering pace and striker's instincts when he is in top form - I honestly do not expect the Barcelona of Spain striker to win the award this year, and I am sure he isn't quite thinking in that direction either.

Over the years Frederic Kanoute, fourth candidate, has not been accorded the sort of respect and recognition a player of his finesse and capability deserves.

Last season he helped his Spanish club side Sevilla, retain the UEFA cup title making him the only African player to have won a UEFA organized championship last year. He was also Sevilla's highest goal scorer in the Spanish league, and excelled internationally, too: he netted the last goal in Mali's 3-1 away victory over the Hawks of Togo that booked them a place at the Nation's Cup finals.

Even though I had earlier cleared this award race as a straight fight between Essien and Drogba, Kanoute does have an outside chance of creating an upset here.

Emmanuel Adebayor has assisted the Arsenal team in no small measure with some crucial goals this season. Many say he took off from where Henry left off, but I, however, disagree. His game play hasn't quite matured up to that level, and his attitude off the field of play for his country, Togo, also raises some eyebrows.

As a result, he probably should make do with being shortlisted for the awards, and maybe in a few years time he will be a serious contender for the awards.

So there are the five contestants vying for the award, and according to BBC Sports they were all selected based on consultation amongst sports reporters all over the continent of Africa.

Now, though, the voting is open to you, the fans, via the BBC website. The winner will be announced in Accra on February 1, just after the group stages of the African Cup of Nation has been completed.

Awenlimobor Sylvester

Goal.com - Editorial/Comment - Who Rules Africa?

[Sven]

King of Africa - Drogba.

[Robinho4Ever]

Originally Posted by Sven

King of Africa - Drogba.

Agreed

[unitedfan]

Essien or Drogba, and I call it a tough one.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Essien for me, although Drogba isn't far behind.

[G-R87]

Drogba.

[Aladino]

Drogba.

This guy is idolised here in Africa, and so he should be

[G-R87]

Don't forget Toure.

[Dellas]

King Dider (Drogba) is the best African player...

followed by Essien and Toure...then by Eto'o

[unitedfan]

It's probably too early for him now, since his form has only come on this season, but Adebayor looks likely to be in contention next season - and that feels like a very strange thing to say, considering his reputation on arrival at Arsenal, but then, what should we expect from Wenger?

[Blaugrana]

Drogba or Essien, because Eto'o has had injury problems

[Trim]

Didier Drogba.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Drogba is top 3 strikers in the world - if not the top.

I just think Essien is the most complete player, but its really close.

[Pat Murphy]

I'd go with Blau's answer and have the Barca coloured answer which is that Essien or Drogba will win it this year, Eto'o has been injured for about 5-6 months of the playing 9 months this 2007 so shouldn't be considered to win this year.

[Sven]

Not only is Drogba best African player, he should of been competing with Kaka for best player, 4th place, such a big piss take.

The guy is the complete player.