The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the final list of candidates for the African Player of the Year award, which includes Egypt’s football superstar Mohamed Salah.
From Algeria, Manchester City star Riad Mehrez and Ahli Jeddah’s Saudi star Youssef al-Bailili will compete against Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Liverpool star, and Calido Coulibaly, Napoli’s defender.
The winner will be announced during the ceremony to be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in Hurghada, in the presence of a number of prominent African legends.
The list includes Cameroon’s Andre Onana, Ajax player, Morocco’s Hakim Ziach, Ajax player, Algeria’s Ismail Ben Nacer, Milan player, Senegal’s Caledo Coulibaly, Naples player, and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal player.
The CAF awards celebrate African footballers and officials who have distinguished themselves this year. The list of nominees is compiled by a panel of media and technical professionals, the CAF said.
Salah won the African Player of the Year award two times in 2018 and 2017.
The CAF Awards feature several categories for men’s and women’s football besides the African Player of the Year, such as: Coach of the Year, Youth Player of the Year, National Team of the Year, Goal of the Year, Africa Finest XI, Federation of the Year, and several new award categories which recognize exceptional contributions towards African football and inspiring individuals.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
