The top five nominees for the African Player of the Year award have been announced by the Confederation of African Football. Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won the 2015 edition of the prestigious award, tops the list once again.
Algeria and Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has also made it to the list, followed by Senegal’s Sadio Mane, who also plies his trade for Premier League side Liverpool. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (AS Roma) and Algeria’s Islam Slimani (Leicester City) seal the top five slot.
Mahrez was in sensational form for the Foxes last season when he steered them to the league title for the first time in their history with 11 goals to his name and is widely tipped to lift the award. But he will also have to face still competition from his fellow countryman Slimani, who impressed for Sporting Lisbon last season (33 goals in 33 games) in the Primeira Liga, before making a record move to the King Power Stadium.
The following are the five nominees for the African Player of the Year award for players based in the continent.
1. Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns and Zimbabwe)
2. Keegan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa)
3. Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe and Zambia)
4. Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa)
5. Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns and Uganda)
The final winners of each category will be announced in an award ceremony to be held on Thursday January 5, 2017 in Abuja Nigeria.
