John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba nominated for African Footballer of the Year

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and former Chelsea center forward Didier Drogba are among the ten finalists named for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year award. The winner will be announced on December 20, and the Champions League victory that both were a part of makes them a pair of intriguing candidates. The full ten man shortlist is as follows:

• Alexander Song ( Barcelona and Cameroon)
• Andre Ayew (Marseille and Ghana)
• Christopher Katongo (Henan Construction and Zambia)
• Demba Ba (Newcastle United and Senegal)
• Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua and Ivory Coast)
• Gervinho (Arsenal and Ivory Coast)
• John Mikel Obi (Chelsea and Nigeria)
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Saint Etienne and Gabon)
• Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
• Younes Belhanda (Montpellier and Morocco)

Drogba has to be considered a favorite after his repeated heroics in high pressure situations last season, while Mikel is likely a bit of a longshot due to the fact that he plays a less eye-catching role or the club. Yaya Toure won the award in 2011, and there is quality throughout the list. Best of luck to both Mikel and Drogba, hopefully one of the pair ends up being honored as the best African player in 2012.