Premier League stars among 30 nominees for African Footballer of the Year

A list of 30 nominees for the African Player of the Year award was released Saturday, and among the favourites is last year's winner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and reigning PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.

The annual honour, which was first awarded in 1992 to Marseille's Ghanaian attacking midfielder Abedi Pele, narrows the 30-man list down to three finalists. Pele's eldest son, West Ham's Andre Ayew, is among those nominated this year.

While Mahrez and Aubameyang are almost certain to be among the three finalists, the third nominee is less clear. Among those favoured are Roma's Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's Sadio Mane, Paris Saint-Germain troublemaker Serge Aurier and Mahrez's club and country mate Islam Slimani.

Notable omissions include Algerian pair Sofiane Feghouli (West Ham), Yacine Brahimi (FC Porto), and Ivorian Montreal Impact striker and two-time winner Didier Drogba.

Arsenal stud Alex Iwobi may also feel aggrieved after a stunning debut campaign, especially in light of some of the names near the bottom of the list. Four-time winner Yaya Toure's name is also noticeably absent after a drab campaign was followed by banishment from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

Here's a look at the 30 players nominated for the annual award that will be presented Jan. 5, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria: