BBC World Service has today announced the shortlist for the 2014 BBC African Footballer of the Year award. The five contenders for this year?s award, who were selected by a panel of football experts across Africa, include:
1.??? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ? Gabon and Borussia Dortmund
2.??? Yacine Brahimi ? Algeria and F.C. Porto
3.??? Vincent Enyeama ? Nigeria and Lille OSC
4.??? Gervinho ? Ivory Coast and Roma
5.??? Yaya Tour? ? Ivory Coast and Manchester City
The voting opened today, Monday 10 November 2014, during the BBC?s global breakfast news programme, Newsday, and will run until 1800 GMT, Monday 24 November 2014.
The winner of BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014 will be revealed simultaneously on television, radio and online (including live streaming) on Monday 1 December 2014. The announcement of the winner will be broadcast in Focus on Africa on BBC World Service (Monday–Friday 1706-1800 GMT) and BBC World News (Monday–Friday 17.30 GMT).
Fans can vote online and, for the first time, using their mobile phone or handheld device, at www.bbc.com/africanfootball. SMS voting is also available by texting 1 for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; 2 for Yacine Brahimi; 3 for Vincent Enyeama; 4 for Gervinho; and 5 for Yaya Tour? to +44 77 86 20 20 08.
Vera Kwakofi, Current Affairs Editor, BBC Africa says: ?The BBC is very proud of its commitment to covering sport across Africa and celebrating the outstanding footballing talent from the continent. Since the BBC African Footballer of the Year award began in 1991, the competition?s reputation and popularity continues to grow in Africa and the rest of the world. The five nominees reflect another competitive shortlist and I am excited for football fans to start voting for their favourite?.
Audiences can follow the competition on BBC World Service on Newsday, (Monday–Friday between 0300 and 0830 GMT); Focus on Africa(Monday–Friday 1500, 1700, 1900 GMT; Saturday, Sunday 1900 GMT); Sport Today (Monday–Friday 1530 GMT), and Sportsworld(Saturday 1500 GMT; Sunday 1600 GMT). In-depth profiles of all five players will be featured on BBC World News? Focus on Africa andSport Today, and online at BBC.com.
Sports coverage on BBC World Service includes the global weekly sports show, Sportshour, and World Football. BBC Afrique (French for Africa), BBC Hausa, BBC Somali, BBC Arabic, BBC Great Lakes and BBC Swahili bring audiences commentary on English Premier League weekend matches.
Information and updates on the competition will also be available on social media on BBC Africa?s Facebook?, Twitter?via @BBCAfrica,Google+ and the Facebook football fan page, Love African Football?. Audiences can get involved by using the #BBCAFOTY hashtag.
Previous winners of the BBC African Footballer of the Year award include: Yaya Tour? (2013) who also appears on this year?s shortlist; Christopher Katongo (2012); Andr? Ayew (2011) and Asamoah Gyan (2010).
Competition and voting information:
SMS texts are limited to one text per mobile phone number. Standard international text rates apply. Please check with your service provider.
Full details and T&Cs are online at bbc.com/africanfootball
