Essien shortlisted for BBC Award

Five of Africa's top footballers have been shortlisted for the 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year award. The shortlist is:

Mohammed Aboutrika, Egypt

Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast

Michael Essien, Ghana

Samuel Eto'o Fils, Cameroon

Flavio, Angola

Aboutrika, whose dying-minute goal ensured Egyptian club Ahly retained their African Champions League trophy this year, was part of his country's Nations Cup winning squad in February.

Drogba, who captained Ivory Coast to the World Cup, was part of Chelsea's Premiership title winning squad.

His Ghanaian team-mate Essien helped the Black Stars to reach the second round of the World Cup in their first appearance at the tournament.

Eto'o, who was the top scorer in Spain, was instrumental in Barcelona's win of the domestic league title as well as the Uefa Champions League trophy.

Flavio was a member of Ahly's Champions League winning squad and also helped his country to qualify for their first World Cup.

The exact detail of how you can vote on this shortlist will be revealed next week.