The Confederation of African Football (CAF) named three players from a shortlist of ten for the 2010 Glo-CAF Player of the Year award. Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Cote d’Ivoire), Samuel Eto’o Fils (Inter Milan & Cameroon) and Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana) are in the race for the most prestigious individual honour in African football, with the winner to be announced tonight in Cairo, Egypt during a gala event. Votes from the respective senior national teams' Head Coaches or Technical Director of the 53 National Associations affiliated to CAF will decide the best from the trio. Here is a closer look at the three nominees: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland/Ghana) Nationality: Ghanaian Club: Sunderland (Transferred From Rennes) Age: 24 Position: Striker Ghana’s striking sensation shouldered the burden of producing results for a depleted Ghana side at the continental football showpiece in Angola, and was very consistent for the national side over the past year. The ever-smiling 24-year-old was the shining light of the west African nation at the World Cup and bagged three goals for his sterling effort. The most expensive player for English Premiership side Sunderland is hoping to win the CAF award, but perhaps his club exploits over the last year will leave him third on the African footballers’ podium tonight, despite an explosive start to his Premier League career. Gyan is the only player out of the three who has not yet been awarded an African Player of the Year accolade. Eto’o boasts of three in a row, 2003, 2004, 2005, equalling Ghana-born Abedi Pele’s record of keeping the award for three consecutive years (1991, 1992, 1993), while Drogba has won it twice. The rookie at the awards evening may leave this award to either the Cameroon ace, or the Ivorian veteran. The Ghanaian has time on his side however, and though he seems to be third favourite on the podium this year, he will no doubt be aiming to take the prize in the years to come. Didier Drogba (Chelsea/Ivory Coast) Nationality: Ivorian Club: Chelsea Age: 32 Position: Striker Reigning African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba jumps in the race to succeed himself, dragging along a big bag bloated with team and personal successes during the last season. Many pundits said the award would come down to Eto’o and Drogba, but who will edge the other? Drogba’s achievements in the previous season are outstanding enough to speak for themselves. Premier League title, FA Cup, Premier League Golden Boot – Highest goal scorer, West Africa Footballer of the Year, name it and he’s probably got it. Being the top scorer of Europe’s most prestigious league – the EPL, will be a strong motivation for those who decide to cast a vote in favour of the 32-year-old Ivorian, despite his national team and personal exploits with the Elephants barely living up to expectation at the 2010 World Cup. Drogba won the award in 2006 and then again last year, so he will be looking to make it a hat-trick in Cairo tonight. Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan/Cameroon) Nationality: Cameroonian Club: Inter Milan Age: 29 Position: Striker Even after capturing a record three consecutive African Footballer of the Year Awards between 2003 and 2005, Cameroon international and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o remains a force to be reckoned with in the continent’s football, hence his name keeps reappearing as a contender for recognition as an African football star. Eto’o heaped resounding glories upon himself in the year in question for the award – 2010. Despite the Indomitable Lions’ unexpected debacle at the 2010 World Cup where they were the first of the 32 teams to leave the tournament, much of what the 29-year-old player acquired in the course of the season still glitters with victory and prestige. The Serie A title, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and UEFA Champions League were all amongst his prizes last season, not to mention the Club World Cup he added to his trophy count this past weekend, scoring in the final against African Champions TP Mazembe. Eto’o had the sun in his backyard during the last campaign, and many would agree that he is a strong candidate to succeed reigning African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba. Source: Goal.com