Liverpool duo of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are among the three finalists for the 2019 African footballer of the year.
They are joined by Man City forward Riyad Mahrez-a former winner on the list that was announced by CAF on Sunday.
Mane will be the favourite for the award ahead of his Egyptian club mate after Liverpool won the Champions League.
The two face stiff opposition from Mahrez, who won the Premier League with City and also captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in mid-year.
The nominees were selected by a panel of technical experts from the Confederation of African Football plus former players and media.
The coaches and captains of the 54 African national teams will now vote for the winner who will be announced on January 7th at a ceremony in Egypt.
Salah has been African Footballer of the Year the last two years while Mahrez was the winner in 2016.
Mane was third in 2016 and runner-up to Salah the last two editions.
