File photo: Amr Gamal celebrates scoring Ahly's opener in their 3-0 Egyptian Premier League win over Ittihad El-Shorta on Saturday (Photo: Ahram)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced on Monday the final five-man shortlist of nominees for the African-based player of the year award, excluding Ahly's striker Amr Gamal.
Earlier on November, the 23-year-old Gamal was the only Egyptian to be included in the preliminary 25-man list for the nine-year-old award, after producing a string of impressive displays with Africa's most successful club, Ahly.
Gamal, who is known for his aerial prowess, has established himself as Ahly's main striker this season after coming through the Red Devils' youth ranks.
He scored three goals to help the team qualify for the African Confederation Cup final against Sewe Sport of Ivory Coast.
He was also instrumental in helping Ahly claim an eighth consecutive Egyptian Premier League title last season after scoring nine goals.
Ahly suffered a huge blow when Gamal, who scored two goals in seven appearances with Egypt, ruptured a cruciate knee ligament after falling awkwardly during a 0-0 draw with top-flight debutants Assiouty Sport in a league game last October.
Egyptian players have largely dominated the African-based player award since its introduction in 2005, winning the award five times out of nine.
Former Ahly great, Mohamed Abou-Treika has the lion's share with three awards in 2006, 2012 and 2013. His former teammate Mohamed Barakat won it in 2005, while former Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan was named as the continent's best player in 2010.
Also on Monday, CAF unveiled the final 5-man shortlist for 2014 African player of the year
The 2014 Glo-CAF Awards will be announced 8 January at a ceremony in Nigeria's Lagos to honour Africa's best players and officials for their achievements during 2014.
The ceremony also will award African Player of The Year, National Team of The Year, Club of The Year, Referee of the Year and Coach of The Year,
Lagos, capital of Africa's most populous nation, hosted the Glo-CAF awards twice before, in 2008 and 2013.
The final 5-man shortlist for the African-based player of the year award, includes:
1- Fakhereddine Ben Youssef (Tunisia, CS Sfaxien)
2- Akram Djahnit (Algeria, ES Setif)
3- El Hedi Belamieri (Algeria, ES Setif)
4- Senzo Meyiwa (South Africa, Orlando Pirates)
5- Firmin Mubel Ndombe (DR Congo, AS Vita)
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