Emmanuel Clottey is the leading scorer in the African Champions League

Striker Emmanuel Clottey is among four Ghanaian stars are included in the 32-man list for the CAF African Player of the Year – based in Africa.

The Confederation of African Football released the list of nominees for this year’s awards on Thursday ahead of the final announcement on December 20 in Accra, Ghana.

Ghana’s Esperance duo of Emmanuel Clottey and Harrison Afful have both made the list of nominees and are joined by Razak Yakubu of Sudanese side Al Ahly Shandy and Berekum Chelsea’s Solomon Asante.

For Clottey, his scoring performance for Berekum Chelsea in their maiden campaign in the CAF Champions League contributed largely to his nomination.

The striker scored 12-goals, one-shy of the record held by Nigerian Stephen Worgu, a performance which earned him global attention.

Afful, has played an integral role for Esperance in their campaign in the CAF Champions League this term.

The sterling performance of Yakubu, who captains Sudanese club Al Ahly Shandy, has propelled his club to a place in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in the club’s debut season in the continental competition.

22-year-old Asante, who made his Ghana debut in September against Malawi in the qualifiers for the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations has been described as one of revelations of this year’s CAF Champions League.

The other categories for which winners will be announced on Awards Gala are as following:

1. National Team of the Year

2. Women’s Footballer of the Year

3. Women’s National Team of the Year

4. Club of the Year

5. Most Promising Talent of the Year

6. Coach of the Year

7. Referee of the Year

8. Legend Award

9. Fair Play Award

10. Platinum Award

11. Africa Finest XI