Africa Player of the Year Shortlist Released

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has released its shortlist for the African men’s and women’s Player of the Year awards.

The men’s shortlist is made up of 30 names, whilst the women’s is just 10.

The award goes to the African player that has had the best calendar year, not season, so Caf can take international duty into account.

Some of the biggest names in world football are included, such as Mohamad Salah, the Liverpool star who’s taken home the prize for the last two years, alongside two of his club teammates, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane.

Also on the list is Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, who helped Algeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Algeria is better represented than any other country on the list, with four of its players, including Mahrez, nominated.

Cameroon and Ajax’s goalkeeper André Onana has been recognised, having helped the Dutch champions to the Champions League semi-final, as is Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccan striker.

It will be the first time the evening will feature an award for the African Interclubs Player of the Year, a category designed to encourage players to play their club football in Africa, and not go to Europe.

Other awards on the night will go to African Youth Player of the Year, African Men’s Coach of the Year, African Women’s Coach of the Year, African Men’s National Team of the Year and African Women’s National Team of the Year.

The nominations list is compiled by journalists and technical professionals, and the awards will take place on 7th January in Hurghada, Eygpt.