TheCable

Yacine Brahimi, the 2014 winner of BBC African Footballer of the Year, is among the top-five in the running for the award this year.

The Porto and Algeria midfielder heads the list revealed during a special live launch broadcast in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Two other past winners – Yaya Toure (2013) and Andre Ayew (2011) – also made the cut.

Borussia Dortmund and Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who makes the shortlist for the third year running, and Senegal’s Sadio Mane complete the list.

The winner will be decided by football fans across the continent that have until November 30, to vote for their choice.

The winner will be announced on Friday, December 11.