African player of the year

A five man shortlist has been drawn up for the 2007/2008 African Player of the Year. Last year's winner Chelsea's Didier Drogba is on the list again, and hopes to secure the title for a second season as the initial list of five candidates has been drawn up.

First on the list is Didier Drogba again. Despite being injury prone all season, the player has bagged 9 goals in 15 games.

Last season's third place player Michael Essien is on the list again, as he continues to impress for Chelsea.

Emmanuel Adebayor joins the Chelsea players, and the Arsenal striker has impressed as the Gunners have reached the top of the pile in the Premiership.

Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra after helping the Madrid side win the Primera Liga last year.

And finally, Mali and Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute joins the list after a superb season in Spain. Kanoute scored 25 times during the 2006/07 season and has 11 already this year.

The winner shall be decided from a poll of the 53 African national team coaches.