Drogba, Adebayor in running for award

Four Barclays Premier League players have been shortlisted for the 2008 African Player of the Year award.

Wigan forward Amr Zaki, Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea duo Michael Essien and Didier Drogba feature on the five-man shortlist, announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) today.

It has been an incredible year for Wigan's on-loan striker Zaki, who must be considered one of the favourites for the award.

The Egypt striker scored four goals during the Pharaohs' successful defence of their African Nations Cup crown in Ghana this February and has been setting the Premier League alight since moving to England.

Zaki is currently the league's joint top scorer along with Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe and Liverpool's Fernando Torres.

He has hit the net five times for the Latics in the league and six in all competitions so far this season, which has led chairman Dave Whelan to liken the 25-year-old to the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer Alan Shearer.

Zaki is on a season-long loan from Egyptian side El Zamalek and Latics boss Steve Bruce has recently expressed his desire to keep him at the club on a permanent deal.

Chelsea pair Essien and Drogba have become a regular fixture among the nominees for the award over the last few years and will also fancy their chances of winning this time.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba won the award in 2006 and has made the top three for the last five years.

Essien finished second last year to Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute and has made the top three for the last three years.

Togo striker Adebayor is the final Premier League player to make the shortlist.

The 24-year-old infuriated Gunners fans this summer by seeking a move away from the club, but has fallen back in favour with Arsenal faithful after scoring six goals this term.

Mohamed Aboutrika, who plays for Egyptian side Al-Ahly, is the only man who plies his trade outside the Premier League to make the list.

The results of the votes cast by the managers of the 53 international associations affiliated to CAF will be announced in December.