Moses, Mane, Salah Lead BBC African Player of the Year Nominees

Moses, Mane, Salah Lead BBC African Player of the Year Nominees

Nigeria’s Victor Moses and Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are among the five nominees named for the 2017 BBC African Footballer of the Year award on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund and Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and RB Leipzig’s Guinea midfielder Naby Keita make up the rest of the shortlist.

After struggling to make an impact in his early years at Stamford Bridge, Moses has found form under Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, and was a key figure at right wing-back as the Blues cruised to the Premier League title last season.

Senegal talisman Mane has been in incredible form for Liverpool since his African-record switch last season, and he carried that form over to the international stage as he helped Senegal qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Egypt winger Salah has had a year to remember both in the colours of Roma and Liverpool, and for his national side.

Salah has found the back of the net 12 times this season for Liverpool following his move in the summer and it was his late penalty that sent Egypt to the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

Gabonese goal machine Aubameyang became the first African to top the Bundesliga’s scoring charts outright with 31 goals last season, and he’s maintained his fine form by already netting 10 goals this term.

Keita, who has agreed to join Liverpool at the end of this season for a club record fee, made the Bundesliga team of the year as his club were surprise qualifiers for the Champions League, and he has been a driving force for the Guinea national team.

The BBC will announce the award winner on December 11, 2017, after collating votes from fans around the world.

Fingers crossed, may the most deserving man win.