Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has been named the 2006 CAF Player of the Year on Thursday for the first time in his career. Cameroon and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, who was looking for a record fourth consecutive award, finished second while Drogba's Chelsea team-mate Michael Essien came third. Drogba, who celebrates his 29th birthday this month, has won 79 points, only four ahead of Eto'o, while Essien managed to collect 36, according to the results posted by CAF official website. The powerful hit-man enjoyed a successful year in 2006, leading his country to the African Cup of Nations final before losing to Egypt in penalties shootout as well as their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance in Germany, where he notched a goal against Argentina in the group stage. On the club level, Drogba helped Chelsea win the English Premiership as he scored 12 goals. Drogba impressed during the second half of the year, grabbing 17 goals so far in the Premiership to top the scorers' chart. He also netted five goals in the UEFA Champions League to help the Blues progress to the competition's round of 16.
