Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew has been named in the final three-man shortlist for the 2011 African Player of the Year, the Confederation of African Football announced on Wednesday.
The Olympique Marseille talisman is now inching close to the continent's most-prized individual award but faces opposition from Mali's Seydou Keita and Ivory Coast ace Yaya Toure.
Four-time winner Samuel Eto'o and Senegal and Lille forward Moussa Sow were cut off from the five-man shortlist released last week.
The 22-year-old has scored a total of nine goals this term but was influential in Marseille's set-up in the calendar year.
The Head coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF will vote for the winner.
The Awards Gala will be held at the Banquet Hall of State House in Accra on 22 December.