Manchester City’s Yaya Touré and André Ayew of Swansea have been named on the final shortlist for CAF’s African player of the year alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund.
Touré, who is bidding to win the accolade for the fifth consecutive year, and Ayew were two of 11 Premier League players to make the initial 37-man list which has now been whittled down before the award ceremony next month. Yannick Bolasie of Crystal Palace and Southampton’s Sadio Mané were among those not to make the final cut.
Touré is the favourite to hold on to the crown after leading his country to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, although he will face a challenge from the Gabon striker Aubameyang, who is the top scorer in the Bundesliga this season with 18 goals.
Algeria’s Baghdad Boundjah, Mbwana Aly Samata of Tanzania and the DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba are in the running for the player of the year award for those players based in Africa.
