DIDIER Drogba, John Mikel Obi for West African Football Union (WAFU) Awards

DIDIER Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Sulley Muntari and Emmanuel Adebayor are among the shortlisted players for a new trophy for the best West African footballer in 2010.

The competition is called 'The Best of the Best' and was unveiled by the West African Football Union (WAFU) at a ceremony in the commercial capital of the Ivory Coast, Abidjan on Friday.

"We believe that from 2010 these are the best players so far because they've helped their teams get the best results possible," said Aka Malan, the Secretary-General of WAFU.

"These nominees are the best; each of the players is doing the best in his club. Among these we'll choose the best of the best," he said.

The winner will be decided by SMS and telephone votes from people in West Africa.

The poll opens today for two months.

"From now on through information technology we're able to allow everyone in West Africa to participate and I think it's a great initiative to promote sport", the Ivorian minister for sport, youth and urban cleanliness, Mel Eg Theodore, told BBC Sport.

Seven countries in the region (The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Liberia, Sierra Lone, Cape Verde, Mauritania) aren't represented, while Ghana and the Ivory Coast each have three players.

"Some countries are not represented because they don't have good players in the championships," said Aka Malan, who said performances had been judged by what they'd seen on tv.

The sixteen nominees are: Michael Essien, Kader Keita, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Yaya Touré, Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Sulley Muntari, Mamadou Niang, Pascal Feindouno, Seydou Keita, Stephane Sessegnon, Moumoumi Dagano, Jonathan Pitroipa, Frederic Kanoute, Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Source: www.tribune.com.ng