Zambian skipper Chris Katongo is the 2012 BBC player of the year. He beat former Chelsea Fc striker and Ivory Coast skipper Didier Drogba to clinch the coveted trophy.

The BBC World Service made the astonishing announcement on the evening of Monday 17 December 2012.

It was joy and celebrations in Zambia after the announcement. Zambia Football Chief Kalushwa Bwalya was elated with the announcement and thanked those who contributed through text messages saying Katongo deserved the coveted award.

In a list released on Thursday November 22,2012,five players were shortlisted that included Yaya Toure (Machester City and Ivory Coast), Demba Ba of Newcastle & Senegal), Younes Belhanda (Montepellier & Morocco), Didier Drogba (Shenhua Shanghai & Ivory Coast), and Christopher Katongo (Henan Construction & Zambia).

Katongo emerged top with over 40% of the votes to succeed Ghana forward Andre Dede Ayew who won the award in 2011.

Detailed: BBC SPORT