Kwadwo Asamoah is among the players nominated for the African Player of the Year award

Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi and Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah have signed congratulatory cards for six Black Stars players nominated for this year’s CAF African Player of the Year awards.

Black Stars midfielders Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and Kwadwo Asamoah were nominated for the 2012 African Player of the Year award category.

Other players of the Ghana squad Emmanuel Clottey, Harrison Afful and Solomon Asante were named in the Player of the Year in Africa category.

The six were last week nominated by Africa’s governing body for their performances for the year under review.

Five out the six are presently with the Black Stars squad currently camping in Nairobi ahead of Saturday’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.

Agyemang-Badu, who pulled out of the game against Malawi because of injury, will have his card sent to him in Italy, where he is recovering from a knee problem.

Mr. Nyantakyi and coach Appiah signed congratulatory messages encouraging the six players to continue to work hard and win laurels.

“It is outstanding that six players in the Black Stars squad have been nominated for the African CAF awards ceremony,” Nyantakyi told www.ghanafa.org.

“It shows that there is good quality in this team and this has been recognised by CAF and this is a big achievement.

“There are many, many African players and for six of our players to be chosen it shows that there is something very good about our football.

“The people of Ghana are happy about their nominations and we need to encourage and pray for them to go for the ultimate prize not only for this year but for many years to come.

“There are many youngsters in the Black Stars team who are watching how these players have been honoured by CAF for their performances for both club and country.

“This will go a long way in encouraging the young ones to perform well for their country so that they can also be honoured by CAF and even FIFA in future.”

The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala to be held in Accra in December.

Source: GHANAFA.ORG