Ghana and Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey has been excluded from the Confederation of African Football's ten-man shortlist for 2018 African Player of the Year award.

The Black Stars ace was initially on a 34-man list but was evicted after a voting process from the members of the Caf Technical & Development Committee.

The final phase will involve votes from CAF Media Experts, Legends, Coaches of the quarter-finalists of the Caf Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, and Coaches & Captains of the 54 Member Associations.

The Awards Gala will be held on Tuesday, 8 January 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.

Egypt and Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah, who won last year's edition, remains the frontrunner.

He faces competition from his teammates Sadio Sane (Senegal) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon).

Uganda captain Denis Onyango who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns and Walid Soliman of Al Ahly and Egypt are on the list.

CAF Ten-man shortlist for 2018 African Player of the Year award

Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal), Andre Onana (Cameroon & Ajax), Anis Badri (Tunisia & Esperance), Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns), Mehdi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Manchester City), Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Walid Soliman (Egypt & Ahly)