In a few hours, three of Africa’s biggest names in football will line up to battle for the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award.

The Nigeria event will significantly pitch three of the best talents in the continent against each other in a grand showdown of pride.

There is much to anticipate with bated breath as the trio Yaya Toure, Dede Ayew and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang await who will walk up the podium for the coveted individual football award on the continent.

For Toure, a win at the trophy for a record fifth may be all he needs to cement his authority on football in the continent.

TIMELINE – HOW THEY GOT HERE

• Name: Andre Ayew
• Date of Birth: 17 December 1989
• Country: Ghana
• Club: Swansea City (England)

Ayew has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the English Premier League this season following his summer move to Swansea City as a free agent after eight years with French side, Olympique Marseille.

He scored on his debut against Chelsea and has gone on to score five more goals taking his tally to 6 after 20 matches.

At the international level, he was in good form for Ghana. He however failed to win a major national silverware as Ghana lost on penalties to Cote d’Ivoire at the Orange AFCON 2015 in Equatorial Guinea. Ayew finished as the top scorer of the tournament.

• Name: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
• Date of Birth: 18 June 1989
• Country: Gabon
• Club: Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

The Gabonese forward is enjoying the best moments of his career in Europe. The year 2015 was one that will forever be etched in his mind. His potency in front of goal has seen him become one of the most recognizable strikers in Europe this season. He is now the top scorer in the Bundesliga with 18 goals. He also scored once as Gabon exited the OrangeAFCON 2015 at the group stage.

• Name: Yaya Toure
• Date of Birth: 13 May 1983
• Country: Cote d’Ivoire
• Club: Manchester City

Yaya Toure, named the African Player of the Year for the past four years, has finally realized his dream of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with Cote d’Ivoire in Equatorial Guinea in 2015.

He scored twice as the Elephants cruised to their second continental title. At Manchester City, he has been phenomenal for the English side. Toure has scored 5 goals and rendered 5 assists in 18 games for the Citizens.

WHY AUBAMEYANG MUST WIN?

The BBC's Oluwashina Okeleji was intereviewed by Joy News Gary Al-Smith via Skype on Wednesday afternoon and the African football watcher argued strongly that the Gabon star must annex the title. 

Click here to watch the video