The African Football Confederation (CAF) has released the names of five players shortlisted to vie for its Glo-CAF 2016 African Player of the Year Award without.
No Nigerian makes the final list despite the nomination of Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi in a 30-man shortlist released in October,
The five players competing for the grand prize according to a statement on CAF’s website are: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon and Borussia Dortmund), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria and Leicester City), Sadio Mane (Senegal and Liverpool) Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Roma) and Islam Slimani (Algeria and Leicester City)
For the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa), the top five are: Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns and Zimbabwe), Keegan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa) Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe and Zambia), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa), Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns and Uganda)
CAF said the top five was decided by votes from the members of the CAF Media Committee, CAF Technical and Development Committee and half of the 20-member Panel of Experts (10 persons).
The statement said that for the final phase, votes from the head coaches/technical directors of the 54 national associations affiliated to CAF plus associate members will be involved.
Also, Reunion Island and Zanzibar, together with the other half of the 20-member Panel of Experts (10 persons) will be counted towards the determination of the eventual winners, it said.
The statement added that the 2016 Glo-CAF Awards Gala, sponsored by telecommunication giants, Globacom, will be held on January 5, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.
Nwankwo Kanu is the last Nigerian to win the prestigious football award in 1996 and 1999 while playing for Iwobi’s current club, Arsenal.
