Ghana midfielder Michael Essien faces stiff opposition from four other contenders to win the 2008 African Player of the Year at a ceremony in Lagos next month.The Chelsea ace contributed to their domestic challenge where they missed out on the title on the final day of competition.He was influential in the Blues Champions League campaign that lost the trophy on penalties against Manchester United in Moscow last May.Michael Essien has made the shortlist for the African Player of the Year 2008.Other candidates for the award are his Chelsea teammate and Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Adebayor, Amr Zaki of Wigan and Al Ahly's Mohammed Aboutrika.Essien is recovering from a knee injury he sustained on international duty in a joint Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier last September.Caf will award the winner at a ceremony in Nigeria 10 February.Source: Ghanasoccernet