The final shortlist for the 2011 African Footballer of the Year award has been announced, with Samuel Eto'o, Yaya Toure, Andre Ayew, Moussa Sow and Seydou Keita all nominated.
Ivory Coast midfielder Toure is favourite to pick up the continental prize for the first time for his role in helping Manchester City end their 35-year trophy drought, qualify for the Champions League for the first time and rise to the top of the Premier League.
But the 28-year-old faces stiff competition, particularly from Cameroon superstar Eto'o - who won the award last year for a record fourth time, ahead of Asamoah Gyan and Didier Drogba.
Senegal striker Moussa Sow is likely to be in serious contention, too, after topping the Ligue 1 scoring charts in the 2010-11 season with 25 goals, as his club Lille won a league and cup double.
Toure and Eto'o's former Barcelona team-mate Seydou Keita is also among the nominations, after the Mali midfielder claimed a second Champions League title and third La Liga crown for the Catalans in 2011.
Marseille and Ghana star Andre Ayew is the other name on the shortlist and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, African legend Abedi Pele, who won the award three times during a glittering career.
The winner, voted for by the head coaches or technical directors of the national associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will be revealed at an awards gala in Ghanaian capital Accra on December 22.
Ivory Coast midfielder Toure is favourite to pick up the continental prize for the first time for his role in helping Manchester City end their 35-year trophy drought, qualify for the Champions League for the first time and rise to the top of the Premier League.
But the 28-year-old faces stiff competition, particularly from Cameroon superstar Eto'o - who won the award last year for a record fourth time, ahead of Asamoah Gyan and Didier Drogba.
Senegal striker Moussa Sow is likely to be in serious contention, too, after topping the Ligue 1 scoring charts in the 2010-11 season with 25 goals, as his club Lille won a league and cup double.
Toure and Eto'o's former Barcelona team-mate Seydou Keita is also among the nominations, after the Mali midfielder claimed a second Champions League title and third La Liga crown for the Catalans in 2011.
Marseille and Ghana star Andre Ayew is the other name on the shortlist and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, African legend Abedi Pele, who won the award three times during a glittering career.
The winner, voted for by the head coaches or technical directors of the national associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will be revealed at an awards gala in Ghanaian capital Accra on December 22.
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