Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah named on shortlist for Africa Player of the Year award

Riyad Mahrez completes clean sweep for Premier League players

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have been named on the final three-man shortlist for the CAF African player of the year award, with Riyad Mahrez completing a clean sweep for the Premier League.

The Liverpool forwards, from Senegal and Egypt respectively, have both enjoyed a stellar 12 months on the pitch, helping to drive the club to glory in the Champions League and, most recently, Club World Cup.

Algeria's Mahrez, meanwhile, lifted the English title with Manchester City earlier this year for the second time in his career.

The winner – to be decided by head coaches/technical directors and captains of the senior national teams from CAF – will be announced at the awards ceremony in Egypt on 7 January.

Salah has claimed the top accolade for the past two years running.

Ajara Njoya (Cameroon and Valerenga), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and Barcelona) and Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa and Beijing Phoenix) make up the final shortlist for the women’s player of the year award.