The Angola tournament has been eagerly anticipated as an early chance to assess the form of African powerhouses such as Drogba and Toure's Ivory Coast, Essien's Ghana and Eto'o's Cameroon ahead of the World Cup.
The Angolan Africa Cup of Nations is arguably the continent's most important -- with South Africa hosting Africa's first World Cup finals in the same year -- it will give the world an idea of just how strong teams like Drogba's Ivory Coast, Essien's Ghana and Eto'o's Cameroon will be in football's showpiece event in June.
The Super Eagles captain is one of the three players shortlisted for the award along with Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o Fils and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba.