Asamoah Gyan together with Andre Ayew and Kevin-Prince Boateng have been named in the 10-man shortlist for the 2010 African Player of the Year award.
Ghana dominates the shortlist with its three internationals, who all earn their debut nominations for the continent's flagship award.
The continental soccer governing body, Caf, on Saturday revealed the 10-man shortlist during the year under review from January-November 2010
Nominees were determined by the Media, Technical and Football Committees of Caf taking into consideration the performance of the players.
The trio from Ghana however face competition from Ivory Coast captain and Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o Fils.
10-man shortlist
Ahmed Hassan (Al-Ahly and Egypt), Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille and Ghana), Kevin Prince Boateng (AC Milan and Ghana), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers and Algeria), Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire), Samuel Eto’o Fils (Inter Milan and Cameroon), Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo’ (Al-Ahly and Egypt), Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland and Ghana), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea and Cote d’Ivoire), and Seydou Keita (Barcelona and Mali).
The contenders for the African-based Player of the Year are:
Ahmed Hassan (Al-Ahly and Egypt), Oussama Darragi (Esperance and Tunisia), Alain Kaluyituka Dioko (TP Mazembe and DR Congo), Michael Eneramo (Esperance and Nigeria) and Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo’ (Al-Ahly and Egypt).
The winner of each category will be decided by votes from the respective senior national teams’ Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the 53 National Associations affiliated to Caf.
The Awards Gala 2010 will be organized on 20 December, 2010 in Cairo, Egypt.