The nominations were announced by the Confederation of African Football on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

The English Premier League duo are among 30 players nominated for the top prize ahead of the Awards Gala scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Mohammed Kudus, an attacking midfielder or right winger, joined West Ham United from Ajax Amsterdam in the summer whilst Thomas Partey, a defensive midfielder or right-back, plays for Arsenal following his switch from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. 

The Ghanaian superstars both featured for the Black Stars at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022.

 Selection   

The statement said a panel of CAF Technical experts, African football legends and selected media representatives from a number of countries put together the preliminary list for the various categories.

This is based on the performance of the nominees between November 2022 and September 2023 serving as the period under consideration.

The nominees for the top prize of Men’s Footballer of the Year award were shortlisted to 30. 

Other awards up for grabs include the CAF Inter club Player of the Year with 20 nominees and Coach of the Year, CAF National Team of the Year and Club of the Year and CAF Young Player of the Year for players under 21 with 10 nominees each. 

"The ultimate winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches and captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Inter club competitions," it added.

Senegal forward Sadio Mane was crowned CAF African Player of the Year whilst Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala won the CAF African Women's Player of the Year for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.