Nigerian Forward, Odion Ighalo has scale the first hurdle in the race to claim the 2019 edition of the African Player of The year award.

The Shanghai Shenhua goal banger made the 10-man shortlist alongside Egyptian and Liverpool striker, Mohamed Salah, André Onana (Cameroon & Ajax), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax), Ismail Bennacer (Algeria & AC Milan), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli),
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Manchester City),  Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), and Youcef Belaili (Algeria & Ahli Jeddah).

The shortlist for the annual CAF Awards was unveiled on Tuesday, 03 December following the completion of the first phase of the voting.

The final phase of voting for the men’s and women’s African Player of the Year, as well as the male and female Coach of the Year,  will be selected by Head Coaches/Technical Directors and Captains of senior national teams from CAF Member Associations. The Interclubs Player of the Year will be decided upon by the Head Coaches and Captains of the group phase of the current season of CAF Interclubs competitions.

The award winners for each category will be announced during the CAF Awards ceremony on Tuesday, 7 January 2020, at the Albatros Citadel Sahl Hasheesh, Hurghada, Egypt.

African Player of the year shortlist

Andre Onana 🇨🇲
Hakim Ziyech 🇲🇦
Kalidou Koulibaly 🇸🇳
Ismail Bennacer 🇩🇿
Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬
Odion Jude Ighalo 🇳🇬
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 🇬🇦
Riyad Karim Mahrez 🇩🇿
Sadio Mané 🇸🇳
Youcef Belaili 🇩🇿

African Youth Player of the year shortlist:

Achraf Hakimi 🇲🇦

Krépin Diatta 🇸🇳

Moussa Djenepo🇲🇱

Samuel Chukwueze 🇳🇬

Victor Osimhen 🇳🇬

Africa Women’s Player of the year shortlist:

Ajara Nchout Njoya 🇨🇲

Asisat Oshoala 🇳🇬

Gabrielle Onguene 🇨🇲

Tabitha Chawinga 🇲🇼

Thembi Kgatlana 🇿🇦