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Essien wins BBC African Player of the
Year Award
Accra, Jan 5, GNA – Ghana midfield icon, Michael Essien has
been voted the 2006 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
African Footballer of the Year.
The hard tackling and intelligent midfielder polled 66% of
the 12, 000 votes ahead of Mohamed Aboutrika of Egyptian
giants, Nadi Al Ahly and his Chelsea team mate Didier Drogba,
an Ivorian.
Aboutrika and Drogba polled 30 and four percent of the total
votes cast respectively.
Essien’s win, according to information monitored by the GNA
Sports was based on his outstanding performance in the 2006
Federation of International Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup held in Germany.
Known as the “bull” for his strength and powerful style of
play, Essien was instrumental in the success of Ghana at the
Mundial, ensuring the team’s progress to the second round of
the 32-nation tournament.
The midfielder has also played a pivotal role for Chelsea in
the English premiership and the UEFA Champions League and is
regarded as one of the club’s best midfielders and indeed,
one of the best for the position in the world.
Essien, who is also vying for the Confederation of Africa
Football (CAF) Africa Footballer of the Year goes into the
contest with slight advantage over his opponents, Drogba and
Samuel Eto’O Fils of Barcelona and Cameroon due to the
award.
GNA
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