Moroccan newspaper 'Al-Mountakhab' has named Ghana duo Mubarak Wakaso and Kwadwo Asamoah for the 2013 Golden Lion Award.
The gong is given to the best African player by the semi-weekly sports newspaper.
Al-Mountakhab's ten-man shortlist comprises only African players playing abroad.
Wakaso made the cut an impressive Africa Cup of Nations display on his debut and Asamoah industry for club side Juventus and Ghana.
They must vie for the award alongside last year's winner Didier Drogbda, Mehdi Benatia (Morocco-AS Roma), Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt-Al Ahly) and Yaya Toure (Côte d'Ivoire-Manchester City).
John Obi Mikel (Nigeria-Chelsea), Jonathan Pitoipa (Burkina Faso-Rennes) and Sofiane Feghouli (Algeria-Valencia FC) are in the race.