Ballon d’Or 2009: Didier Drogba votes Samuel Eto’o

CAF online| 11/13/2009| Cameroonwebnews

Didier Drogba & the Elephants of Ivory Coast

Chelsea striker believes that Samuel Eto’o is best placed to win the Ballon d’or 2009 award offered by France Football.
In an interview accorded Ivorian Sports paper « Stades d’Afrique » Didier Drogba believes that Samuel Eto’o could be the man to be awarded the Ballon d’or 2009 Award and said Africa’s time has come.
Concerning the ballon d’or 2009, the captain of the « Elephants » of Ivory Coast believes that an African player can scoop the award this season. « I immediately think of Samuel Eto’o. He had an incredible performance last season. A lot of people might not think about him but his good display enabled Barcelona to be rated highly. We can therefore award him the trophy. He has what it takes to win the Ballon d’or ». He also had some wordsabout his national team mate Yaya Touré, who is also among the 30 players nominated for the prestigious award for the year « Yaya Touré was also exceptional. He demonstrated that he is progressing ».
Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré and Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o, were the three players from the continent nominated for the ballon d’or 2009.

Responding to a question concerning Africa’s chances at the upcoming World Cup, the Chelsea star had the following reflection« Africans will not go to the World Cup as loosers. Just look at the national teams, they are composed of players who are regulars in their respective clubs. So why should they not go all the way to win a major trophy. If we can do it with our clubs, it is necessary that we also repeat the same feat with our national teams» He also had a word for the recent performance of the Ghanaian Under 20 national team who won the World Cup for the first time in Egypt « This Ghanaian victory only gives us the moral boost. They have showed us the way and we have to express them our respects. Hey were able to give their best and that is why they won» adding that « Africa has great football nations ».