Ivory Coast trio Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Gervinho were among 10 footballers nominated for the African Player of the Year award Wednesday. The three English Premier League players were joined by 2010 winner Samuel Eto'o and Ghanaian internationals Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan and Kevin-Prince Boateng on a list announced by the Confederation of African Football. Moroccan forward Adel Taarabt, Senegal striker Moussa Souw and Mali midfielder Seydou Keita were also nominated. The winner will be decided by a vote of Africa's national team coaches and announced at a Dec. 22 ceremony in Accra, Ghana. Botswana striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane headed a list of 10 players in contention for the best footballer based in Africa after he was the top scorer in African Cup of Nations qualifying to lead his country to next year's tournament for the first time. Samir Aboud, Libya's 39-year-old goalkeeper, is also in the running after the North Africans defied political upheaval at home to reach Africa's top tournament. I'm not mad: Balotelli Mario Balotelli is not mad and does not miss playing in Serie A, the eccentric Italy and Manchester City forward said Wednesday. The temperamental 21-year-old instead said he considered himself to be entertaining and ready to take on responsibility. “I'm not mad as some people say, although sometimes I'm entertaining,” he told reporters at Italy's training camp.
