Nominees for African Player of the Year have been announced

The shortlist for African Player of the Year has been announced, with several of the continent’s best-known names included in a wide-open field.

Morocco lead the way

Morocco have three representatives in the list: Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismail Saibari. Hakimi remains one of the leading figures of his generation, while Diaz has drawn attention through his form for Real Madrid and Morocco.

Saibari is the third Moroccan nominee and is being viewed as part of the country’s newer wave of talent.

Senegal and Ivory Coast also represented

Senegal are also strongly placed, with Ismail Sar and Iliman Ndiaye both named. Sar has experience in England and France, while Ndiaye has established himself in the Senegal squad in recent years.

Ivory Coast have two nominees in Yan Diomande and Nicolas Pepe. Diomande has impressed in European football, while Pepe brings the benefit of experience.

The shortlist underlines the depth of talent across African football, with the next winner to be decided by the votes of experts and other voters.