After the announcement of CAF's annual awards, FilGoal.com takes an overview of the winners' achievements which helped them claim the African governing body's prestigious prizes. CAF Player of the Year- Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast): The powerful hit-man enjoyed a successful year in 2006, leading his country Ivory Coast to the African Cup of Nations final before losing to Egypt in penalties shootout. He also guided the Elephants to 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 contributed to Chelsea' second successive Premiership title as he scored 12 goals. Although many believed that the 29-year-old's first-team status with Chelsea is in threat following the arrival of Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko, Drogba managed to impress in 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. Drogba is the first Ivorian ever to claim the award. National Team of the Year- Ghana: Ghana enjoyed a successful year under the guidance of Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic who took The Black Stars to their first ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
Ghana named African National Team of the Year Despite a first-round exit in the African Nations' Cup in Egypt, Ghana marked their World Cup debut with a qualification to the tournament's second round before being eliminated by Brazil. After an early slump against Italy, Ghana played a memorable group game against a mighty Czech Republic side, the West Africans won by two goals to nil missing a penalty before assuring a commanding presence with a 2-1 win over USA. Ghana's midfield was nothing but formidable, the likes of skipper Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien and Italy-based Sulley Ali Muntari have done enough to make their country the only African side to go through to the last 16. After parting company with Dujkovic, Ghana is looking forward to a fifth African title next year on home soil, counting on Frenchman Claude Leroy as their new manager. Ghana won the award ahead of African champions Egypt, who recorded their fifth continental crown, and Ivory Coast. Young Player of the Year- Taye Taiwo (Nigeria): Taye Taiwo was first known during the 2005 FIFA Youth World Cup in Holland where he scored two decisive goals in Nigeria's route to the final. The young super eagle made his way through Nigeria's senior team during the 2006 African Nations' Cup in Egypt, showing more mature talents. The 21-year-old scored a trademark long range strike in a group stage match to see Ghana off the tournament as Nigeria cruised to the semis before finishing third. Taye Taiwo has also established himself as a first team regular with French giants Olympique Marseille, alerting the attention of Italian champions Inter Milan. Udinese's Ghanian midfielder Gyan Asamoah and Anderlecht's Moroccan winger Mbarak Boussoufa came behind Taye Taiwo in the run for the award.
