Didier Drogba has been named African Footballer of the Year for the
second time in his career.
The Ivory Coast striker was handed his award in a ceremony in
Accra, as he was voted the continent's top player for 2009.
He held off competition from club team-mate Michael Essien,
and also Inter Milan's Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o.
It is the second time in his career the 32-year-old has won
the honour, with the previous success coming in 2006.
He helped his country through a convincing World Cup
qualifying campaign in 2009, during which he netted five goals as
the Ivorians finished unbeaten. Drogba also scored for Chelsea as
they won the FA Cup final.
Drogba, who has hit 25 goals this season, is also thought to
be a leading candidate for both the Footballer of the Year and PFA
Player of the Year awards in England this year.
None of the three candidates travelled to Ghana's capital for
the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards, where
World Cup-bound Algeria were named Team of the Year.
