-Deborah Akinyosoye
Nigeria striker Ademola Lookman and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams were among five stars shortlisted on Monday for the African Player of the Year award.
A Confederation of African Football statement listed Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy as the other contenders.
Lookman scored a hat-trick for Atalanta in a 3-0 UEFA Europa League final victory over Bayer Leverkusen last season and is favoured to win the award.
Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, was voted the 2023 Player of the Year after starring for Napoli. He has since been loaned to Galatasaray.
A ceremony where awards in various categories will be given to the men’s and women’s stars of Africa will be held in Moroccan city Marrakesh on December 16.