Drogba takes African accolade
Friday, March 2, 2007
Article summary
Didier Drogba has been named African Footballer of the Year in Ghana ahead of Samuel Eto'o, winner of the last three awards, and team-mate Michael Essien.
Article body
Didier Drogba has been named 2006 African Footballer of the Year with the Chelsea FC forward stopping Samuel Eto'o from winning a record fourth successive award.
Successful year
At a ceremony in Accra, Drogba, 28, took the honour for the first time after captaining Ivory Coast to the African Cup of Nations final. The country also reached the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time while Drogba won the English Premiership for a second successive season with Chelsea FC.
Taiwo honour
Behind FC Barcelona and Cameroon striker Eto'o, Chelsea and Ghana's Michael Essien finished third for the second consecutive year in the poll of Africa's 53 national-team coaches. Two other awards with European significance were the best young footballer prize which went to 21-year-old Olympique de Marseille defender Taye Taiwo. Portuguese coach Manuel José took the best coach award for his continued success with Egyptian club side Al-Ahly.