By BBC World Service International Publicity
Published November 14, 2013
BBC World Service has announced the shortlist for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
The list of five contenders selected by football experts around Africa are:
1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Gabon and Borussia Dortmund
2. Victor Moses – Nigeria and Liverpool (on loan from Chelsea)
3. John Obi Mikel – Nigeria and Chelsea
4. Jonathan Pitroipa – Burkina Faso and Rennes
5. Yaya Toure – Ivory Coast and Manchester City
The vote opened at 05.45 GMT, Monday, November 11, 2013, on the BBC’s global morning show Newsday and runs until Monday, November 25, 2013.
BBC African Footballer of the Year 2013 will be announced on Monday 2 December 2013 simultaneously on radio and television on the Focus on Africa programme broadcast on BBC World Service and BBC World News.
Fans can vote online at bbc.com/africanfootball and by SMS to +44 77 86 20 20 08, by texting 1 for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; 2 for Victor Moses; 3 for John Mikel Obi; 4 for Jonathan Pitroipa; and 5 for Yaya Toure.
Vera Kwakofi, Current Affairs Editor, BBC Africa says: “We’re excited to announce once again a very competitive shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year competition. The nominees list reflects another remarkable year of achievement for Africa’ top footballers. Since the competition launched in 1992, it’s grown in stature and in reputation thanks to the participation of football fans across the continent, to making it the people’s award. We at the BBC are pleased to continue supporting and recognising the talent of the biggest stars in Africa’s most popular sport as a sign of our on-going commitment both to Africa and to Sport.”
Audiences can follow the competition on BBC World Service on Newsday, (Monday-Friday between 03:00 & 08:30 GMT); Focus on Africa (Monday-Friday 1500, 1700, 1900 GMT; Saturday, Sunday 1900GMT); Sport Today (Monday-Friday 15:30 GMT); and Sportsworld (Saturday 15:00 GMT; Sunday 16:00 GMT). In-depth profiles of all five players will be featured on BBC World News’ Focus on Africa and Sport 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 via social media on BBC Africa’s Facebook, Twitter (@BBCAfrica), Google+ and Facebook football fan page (loveafricanfootball). Audiences can tweet using #bbcafoty.
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.
