Ghana’s Michael Essien faces competition from two other players in the race to be named African Player of 2008, after Caf narrowed than the five-man list to three today.
From a list of five comprising Ghana’s Essien, the Egyptian duo of Mohamed Aboutrika and Amr Zaki, Togo’s Adebayor, and Ivorian Drogba, the list has been narrowed to three for the annual individual award.
The Confederation of African Football today confirmed that Essien, Emmanuel Adebayor of Togo and Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika were the three shortlisted candidates for the award.
According to Caf, the final three for the Glo-CAF Player of the Year across the world and other award categories were decided following votes from the head coaches of the 53 national associations affiliated to CAF.
The Ghanaian midfielder makes the final three for the fourth successive time.
Essien placed third in the 2005, 2006 African Footballer of the Year award and came second in the 2007 honours.
The awards ceremony earlier scheduled for January 23 in Senegal will now take place in Nigeria on February 10, the same time as the CAF General Assembly.
Final shortlist (in alphabetical order) Glo-CAF Player of the Year (Across the world)
Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo) Michael Essien (Chelsea and Ghana) Mohamed Aboutreika (Al-Ahly and Egypt)
*Glo-CAF Player of the Year (Across Africa)
Ahmed Hassan (Al-Ahly and Egypt) Flavio Amado (Al-Ahly and Angola) Mohamed Aboutreika (Al-Ahly and Egypt) Stephen Worgu (Enyimba FC and Nigeria) Tresor Mputu Mabi (T.P. Mazembe and DR Congo)
National Team of the Year
Cameroon Egypt Nigeria
Club of the Year
Al-Ahly (Egypt) Club Sportif Sfaxien (Tunisia) Coton Sport (Cameroon)
Young Player of the Year
Salomon Kalou (Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire) Stephane Mbia (Stade Rennais and Cameroon) Victor Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan and Nigeria).
Women’s footballer of the year
Alice Mattlou (South Africa) Genevova Anonma (Equatorial Guinea) Ngo Ndoumbouk Marlyse (Cameroon).
Coach of the Year
Alain Oumbledon (CotonSport) Hassan Shehata (Egypt national team) Jose Manuel (Al-Ahly)