Salah going for his third African Ballon d'Or

The list of contenders announced by the African Confederation (CAF) also includes two other players who have already received the African Ballon d'Or, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2015) and Algerian Riyad Mahrez (2016).

The rest of the candidates are: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Borussia Dortmund), Andre Onana (Cameroon and Ajax), Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria and Al Adalah), Carolus Andriamatsinoro (Madagascar and Al Adalah), Denis Onyango (Uganda and Mamelodi Sundowns), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Cameroon and PSG), Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia and Zamalek), Hakim Ziyech (Morocco and Ajax), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal and PSG), Ismail Bennacer (Algeria and Milan), Jordan Ayew (Ghana and Crystal Palace), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal and Napoli), Kodjo Fo Doh Laba (Togo and Al Ain), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Egypt and Aston Villa), Mbwana Samatta (Tanzania and Genk), Moussa Marega (Mali and Porto), Naby Keita (Guinea and Liverpool), Nicolas Pépé (Ivory Coast and Arsenal), Odion Ighalo (Nigeria and Shanghai Shenhua), Percy Tau (South Africa and Brugges), Sadio Mane (Senegal and Liverpool), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia and Esperance), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and Lille), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria and Leicester), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast and Crystal Palace) and Youcef Belaili (Algeria and Ahli Jeddah).

As for the best player of the year, the list includes Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala of Barcelona and Ivory Coast striker Ange N'Guessan of Granadilla Egatesa Tenerife, as well as Ajara Nchout (Cameroon and Valerenga), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria and Rivers Angels), Elizabeth Addo (Ghana and Jiangsu Suning), Gabrielle Ouguene (Cameroon and CSKA Moscow), Refiloe Jane (South Africa and Milan), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi and Jiangsu Suning), Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa and Beijing Phoenix) and Uchenna Kanu (Nigeria and Southeastern Fire).

Nigeria's Samuel Chukwueze, Villarreal striker, is in the running for Best Young Player of the Year, alongside Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Borussia Dortmund), Amadou Haidara (Mali and RB Leipzig), Amadou Sagna (Senegal and Bruges), Enock Mwepu (Zambia and Red Bull Salzburg), Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal and Watford), Krépin Diatta (Senegal and Bruges), Moussa Djenepo (Mali and Southampton), Moussa Ndiaye (Senegal and Excellence Foot), Musa Barrow (Gambia and Atalanta), Osvaldo Pedro Capemba 'Capita' (Angola and Primeiro de Agosto), Patson Daka (Zambia and Red Bull Salzburg), Sekou Koita (Mali and Red Bull Salzburg), Steve Regis Mvoue (Cameroon and AS Azur Star), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and Lille) and Zito Luvumbo (Angola and Primeiro de Agosto).

The gala, which will take place on 7 January next year in Citadel Azure, Hurghada, Egypt, will also award the best coach, national team, goal of the year and announce the top eleven.