Asamoah Gyan Backs Ayew For African Player Of The Year

The Shanghai SIPG striker has tipped his countryman to win the 2015 African player of the year diadem ahead of Yaya Toure and Aubameyang. Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan believes Swansea City star Andre Ayew stands the chance to win the 2015 African Player of the Year award after making the last 10 nominees. Ayew, 25, has been an instant hit in the English Premier League following his move from French side Marseille. He also emerged as top scorer at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. �We are all behind him [Ayew)] because he is making Ghana proud right now,� Gyan told Starr FM. �He is the only Ghanaian on the list, and as a Ghanaian, Andre has done well and I believe all of them deserve to win it.� Gyan also expressed his disappointment over team-mate Christian Atsu who couldn't make the cut despite emerging as the best performer during the 2015 Afcon in February. �I was disappointed Atsu didn�t make the shortlist because he was voted the 2015 Afcon Player of the tournament but things happen,� he said. Ayew's closest rivals in the race to become the only Ghanaian aside his father, Abedi Pele Ayew to win the award since 1993, are four-time winner Yaya Toure and Gabonese in-form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Ayew finished third to Toure in 2011 when the Manchester City midfielder won the first of his four awards. The winner will be decided by a voting process from the coaches or technical directors of the 54 national associations affiliated to Caf and the announcement is scheduled to take place at an awards gala in Abuja, Nigeria on January 7, 2016.