IVORIAN striker has been crowned African Footballer of the Year for the second time in his career. Drogba, previously decorated in 2006, brushed aside stiff opposition from Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto'o and Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien to claim the coveted prize. "Drogba was named the Glo-CAF Player of the Year 2009," CAF said in a statement on their website after the awards gala last week at the Banquet Hall in Accra, Ghana, sponsored by cellular giants Globacom. The Ivorian forward will also receive $20,000 for being named the foremost footballer on the continent for the second time in his illustrious career. The winner was decided by votes from the coaches of the national associations affiliated to CAF. The prolific striker scored five goals in the World Cup qualifiers to help Ivory Coast book a place in the 2010 finals in South Africa. He was also on target for Chelsea as they won the FA Cup final at the expense of Everton. AC Milan's new signing Dominic Adiyiah was voted Africa's Young Player of the Year while coach Sellas Tetteh grabbed the Coach of the Year award. Adiyiah fended off challenges from South Africa's Kermit Erasmus (Feyenoord and South Africa U-20) and Sani Emmanuel (Bodens BK and Nigeria U-17). Adiyiah was the goal king and was voted player of the tournament in the FIFA World U-20 tourney in Egypt. Three- time Africa club champions, TP Mazembe of DR Congo were named the Club of the Year, and captain Tresor Mputu Mabi won the Best Player on the Continent category. The South African Supporters Club, famous for the blowing of the 'Vuvuzela' were decorated as the Best Supporters Club while Algeria's superb form during the year earned it the National Team of the Year award. The fans of Sudanese giants Al-Hilal went home with the Fair Play prize while ex-footballers Stephen Keshi of Nigeria, Senegalese Jules Bocande and Oswaldo Saturnino de Oliviera "Jesus" of Angola were each presented with the African Football Legend award
