Algerian Yacine Brahimi and Nigerian Vincent Enyeama are the top two contenders to win the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2014.The pair each received more votes than any of the other three players on the shortlist - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gervinho and Yaya Toure. The winner be revealed today at 1735 GMT across the BBC World Service on TV and radio as well as online.A record number of votes came in from fans in 207 Fifa-registered countries. Thanks to all of you who submitted your vote. Four of the five players on the shortlist, which was revealed on 10 November, played at this summer's World Cup in Brazil, where for the first time in the tournament's history two African sides made it out of the group phase. Goalkeeper Enyeama played in the last 16 of the tournament with Nigeria, while forward Brahimi reached the same stage with Algeria. Enyeama, 32, went into the event Off the back of an outstanding campaign for French club Lille - he kept 21 clean sheets for them last season.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Yacine Brahimi, Vincent Enyeama, Gervinho and Yaya Toure In Spain,Brahimi's efforts for Granada led to the 24-year-old being named best African player in the country last term and earned him a move to Porto.Both players carried their excellent club form into the showpiece finals and caught the eye with superb performances.
[]THE UNLUCKY NOMINEES[]
Ivory Coast forward Gervinho.also starred in Brazil. The Roma player, 27, has been a revelation in Italy since leaving English Premier League side Arsenal, scoring 10 goals in 39 games for the Serie A side. He and his compatriot Toure did not make it out of their group in Brazil, but on a personal note both have enjoyed impressive seasons. The 31-year-old midfielder Toure helped guide Manchester City to their second Premier League title in three years. He also won the CapitalOne Cup. Although striker Aubameyang did not play at Brazil 2014 - because Gabon did not qualify - he makes the shortlist for the second year in a row thanks to his club form. The 25-year-old has settled in his second season with German side Borussia Dortmund and his improvement has been particularly noticeable in the Champions League, where he has already scored three times in the current campaign.http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/29851261

mod front page please