Ghana's Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu have been nominated for the 2015 African Player of the Year awards after the duo were named in 37-man shortlist.

The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) on Sunday, 11 October 2015 announced the nominees for the 2015 African Player of the Year and the 2015 African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).

The two Black Stars players played key roles as Ghana reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in February, losing on penalty shoot outs to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

Atsu was named Most Valuable player of the tournament after his impressive displays for the Black Stars while Andre Ayew’s, who was the deputy Ghana captain,  inspired the team with his leadership quality.

Ayew has scored four Premier League goals so far this season with new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly keen to keep tabs on the player ahead of what could be a transfer window swoop.

Ayew and Atsu have both been ruled out of Ghana's friendly against Canada through injury.

The list dominated by Algerian players with as many as six footballers from the north African country in the squad even though they failed to make an impact at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast, who finished top at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, have four players in the shortlist with Yaya Toure leading the pack from the West African country.

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