Three shortlisted for African Footballer of the Year

Senegal’s El Hadji Diouf and Pape Bouba Diop and Egypt striker Ahmed Hossam have been shortlisted for this year’s African Footballer of the Year award.

Liverpool’s Diouf, the 2001 winner, could become only the third player to win successive awards, following multiple winners Abedi Pele and George Weah.

The winner will be announced at the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards evening on March 31.

Lens’ midfielder Diop, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League, was named earlier this month ahead of Diouf as Senegal’s Footballer of the Year.

Hossam’s name on the shortlist was something of a surprise. The Egyptian striker won the league and cup double with his Dutch club Ajax this year but was disappointing in the Nations Cup finals in which Egypt were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

In total, Five Senegalese players finished in the top 10. All the top 10 play for European clubs.