The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday announced the
top three players for the 2013 African Player of the Year award,
scheduled for Jan. 9 in Lagos.
Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel, who is of Chelsea FC of England, is joined by the Ivorian pair of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba.
Toure, who plays for English side Manchester City, and former Chelsea FC striker Drogba are making the final three for a second successive year.
Midfielder Toure is the reigning player of the year, having won the 2012 award earlier this year.
The 2013 winner will be announced on Jan. 9, 2014 at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala to be held in Lagos.
In the African Player of the Year award for footballers based in Africa, whose 2012 edition was won by Egyptian Mohamed Aboutrika, another Nigerian is in contention.
The 2013 winner will be selected from the trio of Super Eagles’ Sunday Mba and Egyptians Ahmed Fathy and Aboutrika.
The winner will also be announced at the Awards Gala.
In the other categories, Nigeria is being considered for the National Team of the Year alongside Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.