Chelsea stars challenge Eto'o
Monday, January 1, 2007
Article summary
Three-times winner Samuel Eto'o faces competition from Chelsea FC's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien for the 2006 African Player of the Year Award.
Article body
Three-times winner Samuel Eto'o will face competition from two Chelsea FC players for the 2006 African Player of the Year Award, after the final three-man shortlist was revealed.
Eto'o domination
FC Barcelona striker Eto'o, who has won the prize in the last three years, will be up against Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and Ghanian midfielder Michael Essien, when the award is handed out at the CAF Awards ceremony in Accra, Ghana on 1 March. The Cameroonian has not played for UEFA Champions League holders Barcelona since 27 September after damaging cartilage in his right knee and undergoing surgery.
Missed out
The other two players on the initial five-man shortlist for the award, Nwankwo Kanu of Portsmouth FC and Egyptian forward Mohammed Aboutraika, who plays his club football for Al-Ahly SC in his homeland, both missed the final cut.
