Michael Essien Battles Four Others For BBC's African Award

Ghana international and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is in stiff competition with four other top players to grab the 2009 BBC African Footballer of the Year Award.

The 2006 winner was named alongside team-mate Didier Drogba, Inter's Samuel Eto'o Fils (Cameroon), TP Mazembe's Tresor Mputu Mabi and Cote d'Ivoire's Barcelona midfielder Yahya Toure on the network’s Fast Track Programme.

Fifty-two leading football experts from Africa came up with the list. The selection was based on individual skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency, impact on results and fair play.

The prestigious award is the only one of its kind to be decided ultimately by the fans through SMS text.

BBC Fast Track presenter Farayi Mungazi said: "This award is all about performance over the last twelve months so only two of last year's contenders have made it onto the list, with no place for Adebayor or Aboutrika.

"Once again it's great to see a player based in Africa on the shortlist with TP Mazembe's Tresor Mputu Mabi in with a chance."

The 2009 winner will be named on 4 January in Angola. Mohamed Aboutrika of Al Ahly and Egypt is the reigning champion after he helped his country to retain the Africa Cup of Nations and then won the African Champions League with his club.

Previous winners of the BBC African Footballer of the Year award:

2008 - Mohamed Aboutrika
2007 - Emmanuel Adebayor
2006 - Michael Essien
2005 - Mohamed Barakat
2004 - Jay-Jay Okocha
2003 - Jay-Jay Okocha
2002 - El Hadji Diouf
2001 - Sammy Kuffour
2000 - Patrick Mboma