Chelsea's Didier Drogba has tipped Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor as a worthy winner of the African footballer of the year award. "The winner? Adebayor, who has made steady progress in the last couple of months," said Drogba, who was controversially denied the previous year's award because he did not attend the awards ceremony in Lome, Togo in February.

"Last year, he was a key element for his club, Arsenal. It is a performance that deserves to be rewarded."