Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle stars nominated for African gong

MANCHESTER UNITED, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle have all had players nominated for the African Player of the Year award.

Victor MosesGETTY

Victor Moses has missed the last month through injury

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle have all had players nominated for the African Player of the Year award.

The 30-man shortlist was drawn up today to recognise the achievements of African footballers during the 2017 calendar year.

Chelsea’s Nigerian wing-back Victor Moses looks an early favourite to win the award.

The 26-year-old was a revelation for Antonio Conte’s side last season as he helped them claim the Premier League title.

But he will face tough competition from Liverpool duo Saido Mane and Mohammed Salah.

Saido ManeGETTY

Saido Mane has been one of Jurgen Klopp's top performers

Mohammed SalahGETTY

Mohammed Salah has impressed for club and country

Mane came close to winning the honour in 2016 finishing third, where he lost out to Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez.

Egyptian Salah was instrumental in helping his national side reach the 2018 World Cup finals, along with playing a big role in Liverpool returning to the Champions League.

United’s versatile defender Eric Bailly is in contention after a string of strong performances for Jose Mourinho’s side.

 Christian AtsuGETTY

Eric Bailly is a permanent figure in United's back line

Newcastle midfielder Christian Atsu has also been shortlisted after helping them to promotion from the Championship last season.

Other top contenders are Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Porto’s Vincent Aboubakar.

 Christian AtsuGETTY

Christian Atsu has been superb under Rafael Benitez

Full list of nominees:

Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon & Porto)

Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco & Feyenoord)

Christian Atsu (Ghana & Newcastle)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund)

Eric Bailly (Cote d'Ivoire & Manchester United)

Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)

Keita Balde (Senegal & Monaco)

Christian Bassogog (Cameroon & Henan Jianye)

Yves Bissouma (Mali & Lille)

Khalid Boutaib (Morocco & Yeni Malatyaspor)

Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)

Essam El Hadary (Egypt & Al Taawoun)

Junior Kabananga (DR Congo & Astana)

Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco)

Naby Keita (Guinea & RB Leipzig)

Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly)

Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)

Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto)

Victor Moses (Nigeria & Chelsea)

Youssef Msakni (Tunisia & Al Duhail)

Michael Olunga (Kenya & Girona)

Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon & Sevilla)

Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)

Mbwana Samata (Tanzania & Genk)

Jean Michel Seri (Cote d'Ivoire & Nice)

Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso & Lyon)

William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria & Bursaspor)

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