Nominees for 大象传媒 African football award announced
The five candidates for the 2009 大象传媒 African Footballer of the Year award have been revealed on the BBC's African sports programme Fast Track.
The nominees are: Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Samuel Eto'o, Tresor Mputu Mabi and Yaya Toure.
You can vote for your choice right up until 4 January and the winner will be announced four days later.
The prestigious award is the only one of its kind to be decided ultimately by the fans.
The 大象传媒 canvassed football experts across Africa to compile the shortlist.
Last year's winner was Mohamed Aboutrika of Al Ahly and Egypt 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 大象传媒 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