I'm the new King of Africa...Drogba sees off Eto'o - but only just

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been named African Player of the Year for 2006, beating Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o by just five votes.

The Ivory Coast forward ended the Cameroonian's three-year grip on the title after polling 79 votes from coaches of the member states of the Confederation of African Football.

Read more:

• Drogba beats Eto'o to become King of Africa

• Beckham: I'll never turn my back on England

• Wenger accuses linesman of lying over Adebayor red card

• Match photos: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2 • Dishonest! Wenger angered as the FA pile on charges

• Wenger sorry for 'one-off' brawl

• Jose: Fergie's just lucky while Wenger wins nothing

• Benni belter - McCarthy's last-gasp rocket hits Gunners

• Rejection the spur for Bentley to be top gun

• The Screamer... It's the talk of football

• Steve to put brakes on United title charge

• Points blow will add to Eggert woe

• Rooney: My mate Cristiano is the world's best player

• England bid for 2018 World Cup hits buffers

• Newcastle snub Sepp's £1m 'final offer' for Owen injury

Drogba's Stamford Bridge team-mate and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien was third with 36 votes.

Arsenal defenders Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure and Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora, both Ivory Coast internationals, were named in the team of the year with Chelsea rivals Drogba and Essien the other Barclays Premiership stars to feature.