Salah who plays for Liverpool FC in England has won the award twice in 2017 and 2018, while PSG’s Hakimi is seeking to become the first Moroccan to win the award after Mustapha Hadji in 1998.

Other Nigerians who made the final shortlist in different categories include Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Abiodun and Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Oshoala is in the running to defend her Women’s Player of the Year award as she is in the three-player shortlist with Barbara Banda of Zambia and Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa.

Nnadozie is in contention for Goalkeeper of the Year while Abiodun made the final nominee for Women’s Young Player of the Year award.

CAF had also shortlisted Nigeria for the 2023 Women’s National Team of the Year alongside Morocco and South Africa.

The ultimate winner of each category is decided following votes from a panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches, and Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

The winners will be announced  at the CAF Awards Gala on Dec. 11 at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh