CAF Best African Player gong: Mahrez, Mane, Aubameyang, 2 others shortlisted

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday revealed its shortlist for the Best Player in Africa award. The five players who make the list are pooled from top European leagues.

The current holder, Gabonese skipper, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, is listed alongside Algerian international Riyad Mahrez, both players are on the 30-man FIFA Ballon D’or shortlist as well.

The two are joined by Liverpool’s Saido Mane, Algeria’s Islam Slimani and Mohamed Salah of Egypt. The English Premier league (PL), the German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A were all represented, no African player in Spain and interestingly France as well made the list.

The Top 5 Shortlist for the Best player in Africa award 2016 #CAFGLOAWARDS pic.twitter.com/We5KWg3voL

— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 22, 2016

Last year, Aubameyang beat competition from Ivorian international, Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Dede Ayew. The Borussia Dortmund player will be leading Gabon at the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil.

CAF also released its shortlist for African Player of the Year ‘Based in Africa,’ the list was dominated by players of the current African Champions South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, they had four nominees with the only outsider being from CAF Confederation Cup champions TP Mazembe.

• South Africa’s Keegan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• South Africa’s Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Uganda’s Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe)

In the case of both categories, CAF will prune the current list to three, out of which the eventual winners will be announced at a later ceremony.