Ghana's Michael Essien, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast and Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o Fils are the contenders for the 'royal' crown of African Footballer of the Year.

Of the trio, Essien is only person yet to be crowned with Eto'o three times in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and Drogba in 2006.

Here's a quick look at the trio of contenders:

Didier Drogba was a late bloomer. He signed his first professional contract aged 21 but it wasn't until the 2002 and 2003 season that he realized his potential, scoring 17 goals in 34 appearances in Ligue 1 for Guingamp.

During the same season he made his first international appearance for Ivory Coast in September and scored his first international goal the following February.

He moved to Olympique de Marseille in 2003 and his potency in front of goal continued, finishing as the third highest scorer in the league with 19 goals and making it to the 2004 UEFA Cup final.

Drogba joined Chelsea in 2004 and has carved a niche for himself as one of the greatest players in recent times to have played at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Essien was born on December 3, 1982 in Accra to Ghanaian parents Aba Gyandoh and James Essien, and started his career like any other Ghanaian footballer playing on the streets.

The highly regarded midfielder had been consistent for the Black Stars and played an influential in their qualification for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations, Angola and the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

Since 2006, he has made final shortlist for the coveted CAF Footballer of the Year, but is yet to lay his hands on the ultimate.

Samuel Eto'o Fils was born on March 10, 1981 in Nkon, Cameron. He cut his footballing teeth at the famous Kandji Sports Academy before landing a lucrative move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 1997.

As a member of the Cameroon national team, he was a part of the squad that won the 2000 Olympic tournament in Sydney, Australia; he has participated in two World Cups and six African Nations Cups, and is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the African Nations Cup, with 18 goals.

The striker was handed the captain's armband by new Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen and he played an integral role in the qualification for the first ever World Cup to be staged on African soil, in South Africa.

HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW: Out of the three mentioned players, who do you think is Africa's best?  

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oscar :2010-03-11 10:59

This message is for @ Okey. He has repeatedly posted inconsequential comments purportedly meant for other people in different articles. Let him enjoy this also.

@ Okey, you are one person that is really not in tune with reality. Someone said you copy and paste, which in Nigerian academic world we call "Xerox". A knowledgeable person will copy, fine tune and paste. But you just do the opposite.

If you are so shallow enough to repeat the same abusive word twice, it shows how illiterate you are. What has the name Okey got that could be compared with Oscar? Whenever someone points out your deficiencies, you end up throwing tantrums like a new born baby, attacking them rather than defending your point of view, that is if you have any.

You claimed to have watched Swedish match, you didnt see the black goal-keeper that they used. You dumbfounded me by saying and i quote "@OSCAR....if u carefully read my posting ...i remember that i said that that nationalistic tendency is "CHANGING".....i watched wales and sweden..i never saw a black keeper".....and why should a black man have to answer.."Eddie Gustafsson".." Have you goggled the name? Is the keeper white? Was he in goal for Sweden?

I mentioned that Sweden has a player in Lyon and you laughed your stupidity. Didnt Lyon disgraced Madrid out of the champions league yesterday?

You claim to live in Borås, Sweden. Do you know it is like living in one of those local villages in Nigeria, not even the popular ones. Even Abeokuta is bigger than Borås. Or should I say Sango Otta? Sango Otta is bigger than Borås.

You get to learn man. You are nothing. You can only brag stupidity and illiteracy. A lot of people in this forum are more intelligent and wiser than you are, you are a one-eyed man who cannot be king where millions are two-eyed.

A word is enough for the wise, but fools despise wisdom and understanding.

BrokeFan:2010-03-11 11:23

This is between Eto'o and Drogba. Essien was sidelined due to injury for most of last year. I was even surpprised how Essien got the nomination. Last year Eto'o won the Uefa Champion's with Bacelona, Spanish League, domestic cups and helped Cameroon qualify for World Cup and scored more goals than Drogba. If awards were given based on merit Eto'o should win this.

Hangwani Emmanuel:2010-03-11 12:13

Oscar you need to go to school, I dont see any relevancy of your article comments here.

Droba deserves to win it

Madu:2010-03-11 12:15

@brokenfab yea eto'o deserves 2 win it @oscar abeg take am easy abeg 4get okey. i hail d house

Ikechukwu:2010-03-11 12:36

@oscar, I do always respect ur comments but todays is totally inconsequential to borrow ur words. wat did okey to you to deserve dis whole time you wasted in constructin this write up to attack his personality, and not the issue at hand. Pathetic.

Ikechukwu:2010-03-11 12:38

Eto had a successful year and really deserves to win the award...

Sweyts:2010-03-11 12:39

Besides an average AFCON display, Eto'o Fils remains the best in Africa!

Drogba's on an 'extended rich vein in terms of form' tl.tl., but Samuel is pure class.

monday:2010-03-11 13:13

I wish they will give it to Micheal Essien,the guy has played well, although he has an injury that sideline hime for guit some time, but it does not matter, let it be a sort of compensation for the good work he has done for his country,his club and Africa in general, you people should remember that when Kanu Nwankwo won it for the second time, it is not by his merit, but it serve as a compensation for what he has done, so i strongly suggested that they should give it to Essien.
Egbogu.

collins:2010-03-11 13:22

i'm less impress abt it,as far as the last 2 editions was questionable.keita and toure won 6 throphies and eto'o 5 with barca.what is the criteria 4 dis afro king?

collins:2010-03-11 13:24

@wonder,what do you mean by wrong league?you watched lyon yesterday.

Owen:2010-03-11 13:32

Oscar your comments are irrelevant with the topic. Please make sure you check your facts before pasting it coz ur consume a lot of space by writing out of line....

Samuel Eto is gonna walk away with this prestigious African Award because of winning everything in Spain with the mighty Barcelona.

Jim:2010-03-11 16:00

Irrespective of the fact that Drogba did a good job last season he wrote not to be considered in any of this why did they iclude him?

ken gadaffi:2010-03-11 17:46

It should be given to Drogba.....

Bona:2010-03-11 21:57

Although Essien has been out for a while but jugging from his past performances my vote goes to him.

Soccer:2010-03-12 07:30

Soccer Prof:

@ Okey:How are you, my friend? Please, read the message I wrote to you at
the other Heading: EGUAVOEN FUTURE TIED TO LAGERBACK! I am too busy
now to re-write it here. I wrote Oscar at the same place. I am surprised NOT to see any of your posts there, since you always post comments and information! I am also assuming that you have not read that message by now!

As stated in that message, I appreciate your furnishing the Forum with all those information you read about Coach Lagerfield, but try to avoid all the rancour and name-calling towards Ken Gaddaffi and Oscar, which is getting too common. Please, try as much as possible to tone down and let's all comment in a civil manner, devoid of anger, abuse or any form of name-calling. Those negative jabs do not serve any useful purpose, but distract from positive rapport that can help move our football forward. Once again, your myriads of information are
much appreciated.

You will see that Oscar wrote to say that he did NOT read my message to him
before his comments on you here. He however promised that the matter is closed and he won't "elongate" the issue with you any further. I am glad that Oscar took my advice to heart. Please, do the same after reading my earlier message and let bygone be bygone, with an end to all forms of attacks, tits-for-tats and name-calling. I am confident that you can do that. Let's all give peace a chance in this Forum! Our Opinions may vary, but our Goals are the same! Let's all get along and work together! Thank you once again and God Bless!

@Oscar: Sorry you read my message too late! Thanks for promising to close the
page on the issue with Okey! May God bless you and everyone in this Forum!

@ Ken Gaddaffi, Garvey and Billion: You're all very welcomed for your "thanks!"
Thanks you too! Be Blessed all.

Regards,
Soccer Prof.

Dayo:2010-03-13 12:04

I'm not disagree wit what NFF did but our player they are not committe?d,if u invit jose morinho come to NIGERI?A

Dayo:2010-03-13 12:14

I'm not disagree wit what NFF did but our player they are not committe?d,if u invit jose morinho come to NIGERI?A

Dayo:2010-03-13 12:25

I'm not disagree wit what NFF did but our player they are not committe?d,if u invit jose morinho come to NIGERI?A