Sports : Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Others, Shortlisted For African Player Of The Year Award, Nigerian Players Absent ....See Full List Here 👇

The Borussia Dortmund striker faces stiff competition to defend his trophy, as Premier League winner Mahrez is among the nominees.

The Confederation of African Football has announced the shortlists for the 2016 African Player of the Year awards.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and Islam Slimani made the top five decided by votes from the members of the Caf Media Committee, Caf Technical & Development Committee and half of the 20-member panel of experts.

Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang won the accolade for 2015 after a sizzling start to the previous season for the Bundesliga club.

This year he faces competition from Premier League winning winger Mahrez, as well as Mane and Slimani, whose impressive 2015-16 seasons earned them big-money transfers.

Salah is the other shortlisted player, having sealed a permanent move from Chelsea to Roma following an excellent season on loan where he netted 14 goals in 34 Serie A games.

In the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) category, Denis Onyango, Hlompho Kekana, Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat from the 2016 African Champions League-winning side Mamelodi Sundowns made the mark with TP Mazembe midfielder Rainford Kalaba completing the list.

The winners will be decided by votes from the head coaches and technical directors of the national associations affiliated to Caf.

The winners will be decided by votes from the head coaches and technical directors of the national associations affiliated to Caf.

The Glo/Caf awards gala night will take place on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

African Player of the Year

* Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)
* Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
* Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
* Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma)
*  Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City)

African Player of the Year (Based in Africa)

* Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns & Zimbabwe)
* Keagan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
* Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe & Zambia)
* Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
* Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns & Uganda)

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