Didier Drogba named west Africa’s player of the year

Didier Drogba has won the inaugural prize for the best footballer in West Africa awarded by the West Africa Football Union (Wafu).

The sub-region's maiden awards ceremony was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Wednesday and chaired by Ghana’s FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, who represented the Wafu president Amos Adamu.

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Ivory Coast £10.40

Draw £90.00

Tanzania £210.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Ivory Coast £10.56

Draw £95.00

Tanzania £230.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Ivory Coast £11.00

Draw £90.00

Tanzania £210.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Ivory Coast £10.50

Draw £90.00

Tanzania £165.00

The awards were meant to distinguish footballers from West Africa who performed exceptionally during the year under review. The votes were conducted via phone calls and SMS from the sub-region’s public.

Drogba received the biggest award of the night, tagged “Best of the Best”, beating Ghana’s trio Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Andre Ayew.

The Elephants' Yaya Toure and Kader Keita were also distinguished as well as two Nigerians: John Obi Mikel and Yakubu. Emmanuel Adebayor from Togo was also awarded.

Two of the Ivory Coast's former players Laurent Pokou and Cyrile Domoraud, along with Toure and Drogba, were designated as ambassadors of an Abidjan-based orphanage home called “SOS d’Abobo” so its residents can benefit from the players education projects - a prime mission of UFOA.

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