Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has made the final three-man shortlist for the Caf African Player of Year Award.
This comes after Africa’s governing body, Caf, reduced the final shortlist to three men from the five who were initially named for the award.
Gyan will now face strikers Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o for the top award in African football.
He is also the firm favourite to win the BBC African Player of Year award having excelled at the African Cup of Nations, World Cup and for his two club sides Rennes and Sunderland.
And it came as no surprise when a statement from Caf said Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou and Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita had fallen by the wayside from a shortlist released a week ago.
Chelsea striker and Ivory Coast captain Drogba was voted number one last year, but is the outsider this time with Eto'o and Gyan boasting stronger claims to fame.
Eto'o helped Inter Milan win the Italian and Champions League titles and the Italian Cup although Cameroon flopped under his captaincy at the African Nations Cup and World Cup tournaments.
Gyan, a close-season signing by Sunderland from Rennes, has made a huge impact at Sunderland while scoring 13 goals for the French side before his move to England.
His goals propelled Ghana to the Nations Cup final and World Cup quarter-finals which means he provided an all-round performance while Drogba and Eto’o only made huge impact with their clubs.
The Footballer of the Year, who is chosen by the national coaches from CAF member nations, and the winners of seven other awards will be announced on December 20 in Cairo.