Aubameyang, Yaya Toure & Riyad Mahrez lead BBC African player of the year shortlist
Rio Olympics Bronze winning captain Mikel Obi, Man City star Kelechi Iheanacho and Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi were not nominated as BBC announced its shortlist for its African player of the year award with players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure making up the five-man shortlist.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure make up the five-man shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The five candidates were revealed during a special live launch broadcast on Saturday.
The winner will be decided by fans from across the world, who have until 18:00 GMT on 28 November to vote for their choice.
The 2016 recipient of the award will be announced on Monday, 12 December, live on BBC Focus on Africa TV and radio, starting from 17:35 GMT.
Borussia Dortmund and Gabon striker Aubameyang is on the shortlist for the fourth consecutive year, while West Ham’s Ghana attacking midfielder Andre Ayew winner in 2011 is also shortlisted for the fourth time.
Leicester’s Algeria forward Mahrez is the only player not to have been nominated before, Liverpool and Senegal striker Mane made his debut on the shortlist last year, and Manchester City’s Ivorian midfielder Toure has featured for eight consecutive years and is a two-time winner.
