Chelsea striker voted Best African EPL Player of the Month

Chelsea veteran striker Didier Drogba has been named the English Premier League African Player of the Month of April.

The Ivorian legend was revealed the winner by Tunde Adelakun, CEO of New African Soccer, organisers of the award to win the monthly gong.

With first choice strikers, Diego Costa and Loïc Rémy injured, Drogba stepped up to play in all league games for Chelsea as they clinched the EPL title with three games to go.

He scored in the Chelsea 3-1 win at Queens Park Rangers.

The 37-year-old beat off competition from Crystal Palace and DR Congo forward,  Yannick Bolassie and Senegalese Dame N’doye of Hull City.

“The support for Drogba was overwhelming”, said Adelakun.

“Everyone welcomed Didier Drogba back to the Premier League, and to Chelsea, but we all knew he was a 36 year old and never expected much of him.

“But to have taken up the role of main striker in a big team like Chelsea, at the age of 37, and completing three consecutive 90-minute games, scoring a crucial goal in the process, it is no surprise that his name came up in the shortlist”.

“I think he has rewritten the rule book for 37 year old strikers and well worth the award." Adelakun concluded.

Drogba is the ninth winner of the NAS Premier League Player of the Month programme that started this season.

Previous winners include Mame Biram Diouf, Victor Wanyama, John Obi Mikel, Sadio Mane among others, in the course of the season.