BBC Sport asked five journalists to give their expert opinions on the nominees for the BBC Africa Footballer of the Year award, picking one player each and explaining why they would get their vote. Here's what they had to say.
We also want you to do the same. Let us know the player that will get your vote among the five players norminated. You can as well norminate someone else. Comment below after reading some excerpts of the journalists said .
Mohammed Allie Voted Didier Drogba
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| Didier Drogba |
Sometimes having previously won an award can prove to be a disadvantage, particularly when there's a feeling that new blood may provide an injection of renewed vitality.
Having already been voted the BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2009, Didier Drogba may qualify as a potential "victim" of that syndrome, but such has been the quality of his play, not to mention his highly influential role in Chelsea's success last season, that it's hard to look further than the big Ivorian striker when it comes to choosing this year's winner.
Even the most one-eyed fans of the big-spending London club would admit that if it hadn't been for Drogba they may not have won the FA Cup and certainly not the European Champions League
Michael Oti Adjei Voted Yaya Toure
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| Yaya Toure |
A year ago, I was convinced Yaya Toure was the outstanding African player of 2011. I believe he has got better and stronger in 2012.
The Ivorian powerhouse has developed into one of the most effective all-round midfielders in the game.
What sets Toure apart is the consistency of his performances over the entire year and he produces big performances on the big occasions.
He helped Manchester City win their first Premier League title - and their first league championship in 44 years - often driving the team forward and supplying the momentum, as well as scoring crucial goals.
Steve Vickers Voted Demba Ba
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| Demba Ba |
The hallmark of a star striker is, of course, the ability to score goals at the highest level, and that is why I believe Demba Ba is the leading contender for this award.
The tall Senegal front man gets my vote for his week-in week-out consistency for Newcastle in the English Premier League - one of the world's top leagues.
At the time of writing, Ba has scored eight league for the Magpies, taking him to second on the 2012-13 season's top goalscorers chart.
Piers Edwards Voted Younes Belhanda
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| Younes Belhanda |
Younes Belhanda deserves the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for his starring role in one of the more romantic successes in Europe last season.
Few expected Montpellier to win the French Ligue 1 title last year, especially given the way Qatari-backed side Paris Saint-Germain had been splashing the cash.
But a masterstroke from Coach Rene Girard pushed Belhanda - who was initially trained as a defensive midfielder before being played on the flanks - closer to goal and in a more central position.
Despite some issues with his temperament, his technical ability stood up to the challenge and the Moroccan became one of Ligue 1's most dangerous players.
Kennedy Gondwe Voted Christopher Katongo
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| Christopher Katongo
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A dream came true for Christopher Katongo in February 2012 when he captained Zambia to their first Africa Cup of Nations title - and I would be happy if he picked up this award in a most memorable year for the player.
Katongo, who is also a soldier in his home country, showed incredible leadership throughout Chipolopolo's six matches at the tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
The 30-year-old scored three goals en route to the final against Ivory Coast. And in the showpiece match in Libreville, he was successful from the penalty spot as Zambia beat the favourites 8-7 in a shoot-out after extra-time.
Zambia's championship spirit took a hit when they lost 2-0 away to Sudan in Khartoum in June in a qualifier for 2014 World Cup, but it was Katongo who lifted the gloom of the nation a week later.
He scored the only goal of the game to beat Ghana in their second World Cup qualifier to revive Zambia's hopes of making it to Brazil.
