Super Eagles star John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Ahmed Musa (Leicester City) and Kelechi Iheanacho (Man City) have missed out on the 2016 Glo-CAF African Footballer Of The Year, with CAF announcing a five-man shortlist on Tuesday.
Following votes from CAF Media Committee, CAF Technical & Development Committee and half of the 20-member Panel of Experts, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Islam Slimani remain in the running for the prestigious accolade.
Enyimba striker Mfon Udoh and Chisom Chikatara were not considered for the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) after making the longlist in October.
Khama Billiat (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keegan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns) are the five candidates with a chance of winning the award for the footballers based in Africa.
The winners of the awards will be announced on Thursday, 5 January 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria during the Glo-CAF Awards Gala sponsored by telecommunication giants, Globacom.