CAF Men's Player of the Year Award comes down to the final three: Salah, Osimhen, and Hakimi

CAF have put forward their final three in the Player of the Year category.

The continental body cut seven names from their shortlist, adding some spice before Monday night's glamourous awards ceremony.

Among those to miss out are Al-Nassr's Sadio Mane, Manchester United's Sofyan Amrabat, and Sevilla's Yousef En Nesyri.

The debate will now rage to decide who between Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Achraf Hakimi deserves the prestigious honour.

Osimhen is the favourite of many to walk away with the honour. His exploits with Serie A winners, Napoli have made him one of the most valuable strikers in Europe.

Paris Saint-Germain's Hakimi has had an outstanding time in Ligue 1 as well as with the Moroccan national team, with TransferMarkt noting his three goals in 12 league appearances so far this season.

Salah has won the award twice and has been the runner-up in the past two years.

His former Liverpool teammate and reigning CAF Player of the Year, Mane will be disappointed not to have made the top three, as this would have been the sixth time in succession he would have done so.

Should Osimhen win, Nigeria will go tie with Ghana and Ivory Coast for the number of wins, but still five behind record holders, Cameroon.

The final 3 for the CAF Men’s player of the year.

•Mohamed Salah ????????
•Achraf Hakimi ????????
•Victor Osimhen ????????

Who will be crowned the King of African Football next MONDAY? pic.twitter.com/yJ74yUcEVt

— Ibitoye Shittu (@IbiShittu) December 7, 2023