Yesterday, the continental soccer ruling body released the top three nominees  for all the women and men categories ahead of tonight’s gala with both Oshoala and Mane being on the exclusive list.

Oshoala, the FC Barcelona women’s striker, only in 2019 became the second player ever  to win the continental award four times to equal the record set by her compatriot Perpetual Nkwocha during  her heyday. But she is being challenged for her fifth  African crown by Cameroonian Ajara Nchout Njoya and new entrant Grace Chanda of Zambia. But Oshoala is slightly favoured above other contenders following imperious performance in Europe with Barcelona along with other scoring feats  with  the Catalan women’s team in the season under review.

Meanwhile in the men’s category, Mane who won his maiden award as Africa Best in 2019, will battle this time with compatriot and a new entrant on the list, Chelsea’s shot stopper Edouard Mendy as well as  two-time former winner Mohamed Salah of Egypt.

Incidentally, there is no  Nigerian interest in all the other categories after Super Falcons’  striker  Monday Gift and coach Randy Waldrum were both omitted in the final three shortlist for the women’s Young Player of the Year and women’s Coach of the Year respectively.

Ditto Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt who failed to make the final shortlist of three for the women’s Club of the Year

CAF AWARDS 2022: FINAL TOP 3 NOMINEES

Player of the Year (Women)

Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon &Inter)

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Barcelona)

Grace Chanda (Zambia & BIIK Kazygurt)

Player of the Year (Men)

Edouard Mendy (Senegal & Chelsea)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)

Sadio Mane (Senegal & Bayern Munich)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

Andile Dlamini (S.Africa &  Sundowns)

Bambanani Mbanie (S.Africa& Sundowns)

Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men)

Achraf Dari (Morocco & Wydad )

Aliou Dieng (Mali & Al Ahly)

Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt & Al Ahly)

Young Player of the Year (Women)

Doris Boaduwaa (Ghana &  Hasaacas Ladies)

Evelyn Badu (Ghana &  Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)

Yasmine Zouhir (Morocco &  Saint-Etienne)