Drogba named African Footballer of the Year

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year on Thursday, beating Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Ghana's Michael Essien for the 2009 award.

It is the second time Chelsea striker Drogba, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Thursday, has won the award after his previous success 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.

None of the three candidates travelled to Ghana's capital of Accra for the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards, where World Cup-bound Algeria were named Team of the Year.