Names of nominees for the 2018 BBC African Player of the Year will be revealed on Saturday, November 17, the organisers have informed www.aclsports.com.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since 1992 have always celebrated Africa’s finest footballers with a prestigious award. Last year’s award was won by the unstoppable Egyptian, Mohammed Salah.
For the 2018 awards, the five shortlisted players will be unveiled in a special BBC African Footballer of the Year programme from Lagos, Nigeria and London, United Kingdom on Saturday, November 17, 2018 as from 7pm Nigerian time.
Hosts Isaac Fanin and Mimi Fawaz will be joined by former Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie, Egypt and Stoke City star Sarah Essam and former Leeds United’s Congolese star Gabriel Zakuani.
Current holder Salah is expected to be among the nominees yet again alongside his club teammate Sadio Mane who plays for the Teranga Lions of Senegal.
Four of the last five awards have been won by players based in England with Salah and Mane still the favourites for this year’s award.
No Nigerian has won the award for the past fourteen years with Jay-Jay Okocha the last to have won it while playing for English side Bolton Wanderers in 2004.
Voting will open at 8pm Nigerian time on Saturday, November 17 and will close on Sunday December 2, 2018 at 9pm.
The winner will be revealed live during BBC World News on the BBC World Service on Friday, December 14.
