Aubameyang returns for 2016 African Player of the Year facing Mahrez and Mane

Gabonese international and current title holder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been shortlisted by the Confederation of African Football for the 2016 African Player of the Year.

The Borussia Dortmund striker is in the top three with Algeria/ Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez and Senegal/ Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, CAF announced on Thursday.

Here are the 3 finalists for African player of the Year award #CAFGloAwards Aubameyang7 Mahrez22 Sadio Mane pic.twitter.com/2R9oPlrnRJ

— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 22, 2016

Their selection was as a result of a vote by Head Coaches of national teams, CAF media, technical and football committees and a media expert panel.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Islam Slimani of Algeria were dropped from the final list.

Uganda/ Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango, Zimbabwea/ Mamelodi Sundowns forward Khama Billiat and Zambia/ TP Mazembe midfilder Rainford Kalaba have also made it in the final list for the Africa-based African Player of the Year.

Denis Onyango, Khama Billiat and Rainford Kalaba are the 3 finalists for African player of the Year based in Africa #GLOCAFAwards pic.twitter.com/LxouIP5fFj

— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 22, 2016

The winners will be crowned on January 5, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.