Summary

  • Egypt's Mohamed Salah named BBC African Footballer of the Year 2018

  • Liverpool forward wins award for second consecutive year

  • Sadio Mane (Senegal), Medhi Benatia (Morocco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) & Thomas Partey (Ghana) made up final five

  • Get Involved: #BBCAFOTY

  1. Postpublished at 17:38 GMT 14 December 2018

    Today's presenter Isaac Fanin said: “It’s been an interesting year for African football, especially with the highs and lows of the Fifa World Cup.

    "We’ve seen some outstanding performances from world-class players, both in league and cup matches, so anyone can win this!”

  2. get involved

    Get Involved - who will win?published at 17:36 GMT 14 December 2018

    #bbcafoty

    Sulaimon Adelekan: Jay Jay Okocha is only player to have won the awards back to back, Mo Salah will equal that feat tonight. I voted for him, his performance so far has rubbished the one-season wonder talk and he is great philanthropist

    MC: Mane

  3. Experts on Salah...published at 17:34 GMT 14 December 2018

    Egypt and Stoke player Sarah Essam: "Salah for us is a symbol of motivation, not just for footballers, but humans. In the elections for president of Egypt people voted for Salah as he was put on the ballot. People love him so much."

    Former Nigeria international Peter Odemwingie: "There is a lot to be done to get to that level [best ever African footballer]. When we are talking about people like George Weah, etc there are a lot of people to compare with. But he is on the right track."

  4. Mohamed Salahpublished at 17:32 GMT 14 December 2018

    Egypt and Liverpool

    Mohamed SalahImage source, .

    Last year's winner, the 26-year-old forward won the Premier League Golden Boot with 32 goals in May and, like Sadio Mane, scored 10 Champions League strikes in their run to the final.

    He scored both of Egypt's World Cup goals - 40% of their all-time total at the tournament.

    Read our profile on him here.

  5. Expert on Mane...published at 17:31 GMT 14 December 2018

    Former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani: "This is his best chance. Last year Salah was phenomenal, but this year Mane is in the running. he has been brilliant for his club and country."

  6. Sadio Manepublished at 17:30 GMT 14 December 2018

    Senegal and Liverpool

    Sadio ManeImage source, .

    The 26-year-old forward - like Kalidou Koulibaly - played in all of Senegal's World Cup games, captaining them in two and scoring against Japan.

    He was the joint-second top scorer - along with fellow candidate Mohamed Salah - in last season's Champions League - with 10 goals for Liverpool, including one in the 3-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the final.

    Read our profile on him here.

  7. Experts on Partey...published at 17:28 GMT 14 December 2018

    Former Nigeria forward Peter Odemwingie: "If we are to change the way we look at things he should win it. He is an exceptional midfielder. He can play long and short passes and he scores goals. He watched Michael Essien when he was young and Yaya Toure."

    Egypt and Stoke player Sarah Essam: "This will give him more motivation to achieve more and more. For African players it is 10 times more challenging to play for a European team."

  8. Thomas Parteypublished at 17:27 GMT 14 December 2018

    Ghana and Atletico Madrid

    Thomas ParteyImage source, .

    The 25-year-old midfielder, the only nominee not to play at the World Cup, established himself as a first-team regular for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, including a late appearance as a substitute in the Europa League final win over Marseille.

    He scored in international friendlies for Ghana against Japan and Iceland.

    Read our profile on him here.

  9. Experts on Koulibaly...published at 17:26 GMT 14 December 2018

    Former Nigeria forward Peter Odemwingie: "The only game I watched at the World Cup live was Poland Senegal. He is strong and that is why he could deal with Robert Lewandowski. Big strikers will not want to face someone like him."

    Former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani: "I would agree 100% [that he is one of the best defenders in the world]. He has the size and he can run and is good on the ball. he has a bit of everything and scores important goals."

  10. Kalidou Koulibalypublished at 17:24 GMT 14 December 2018

    Senegal and Napoli

    KoulibalyImage source, .

    The 27-year-old centre-back played his part in Napoli's battle with Mehdi Benatia's Juventus for the Serie A title, including a famous headed winner against the eventual champions in the run-in.

    He played all 270 minutes for Senegal in the World Cup.

    Read our profile on him here.

  11. Experts on Benatia...published at 17:23 GMT 14 December 2018

    DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani: "He does impress me. I saw it first-hand at the African Cup of Nations. He has won titles and has a very good chance of winning this award."

    Egypt and Stoke player Sarah Essam: "To be able to win a title with a big club like Juventus and being the age of 31, it is very good for him. It gives motivation and hope for the next generation in Morocco."

    Former Nigeria international Peter Odemwingie: "His biggest motivation is inspiring the next generation. That will lead him to stay longer in the game. If he stays in Italy he will play longer and his personality will be a big key to his national team."

  12. Medhi Benatipublished at 17:21 GMT 14 December 2018

    Morocco and Juventus

    Mehdi BenatiImage source, .

    The centre-back, 31, won his fourth consecutive league title this year - two with Bayern Munich and two with Juventus - and captained Morocco at this summer's World Cup.

    Read our profile on him here.

  13. Postpublished at 17:20 GMT 14 December 2018

    Right, let's run through the five-man shortlist, which includes two Serie A centre-backs and two Liverpool players.

    We will also let you know what our experts said when the shortlist was announced.

    PlayersImage source, .
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:18 GMT 14 December 2018

    #BBCAFOTY

    Have your say on who should win and why using #BBCAFOTY on Twitter.

  15. How does it work?published at 17:17 GMT 14 December 2018

    The winner of BBC African Footballer of the Year 2018 will be revealed live during Focus on Africa on BBC World News and BBC World Service from 17:30 GMT.

    That's when the show starts, the winner will be announced a little bit after that.

    Voting ran from Saturday, 17 November to Sunday, 2 December with everyone able to have their say.

    The shortlist was compiled by a panel of African football experts.

  16. What's going on here then?published at 17:13 GMT 14 December 2018

    LogoImage source, .

    Hello and welcome to the live page for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award announcement.

    This prestigious award has been going since 1992 now (although it included non-footballers until 2001).

    Tell us more, you say?