Didier Drogba has once again made the short-list for the African Player of the Year Award. Whilst he has been overlooked for the FIFA Ballon D’Or this year, at least CAF have recognised his ability and put him amongst the top 10 African players of 2011.
Drogba’s form has stuttered of late, with Chelsea new-boy Fernando Torres arriving at Stamford Bridge in January and helping to keep Didier restricted to a place on the sidelines. After a return to his hustling and bustling best at the start of this season, he has had to take time out for surgery to remove 6 pins from his arms from a previous injury, causing him to miss a number of Chelsea matches as well as games for the Ivory Coast in the Mandela Trophy.
Didier will face stiff competition for the Award from his Ivory Coast team-mates Yaya Toure, who has been impressive in a Manchester City midfield that has started to dominate matches, and Gervinho, the powerful striker now plying his trade for London rivals Arsenal.
QPR’s Adel Taraabt is also in the mix, as well as Moussa Souw and Seydou Keita who both play in France. Milan’s Kevin Prince Boateng, Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan all won plaudits for their performances in the last year, for both Ghana and thir respective domestic clubs.
The winner of the Award will be unveiled at a ceremony at CAF headquarters on Wednesday December 2nd.