PROFILES: African Player of t Year– Based in Africa 2015

Name: Abdeladim Khadrouf Date of Birth: 03.01.1985 Country: Morocco Club: Moghreb Atletic Tetouan The Moroccan striker played an influential role as Moghreb Tetouan reached the mini-league stage of the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history, a feat at the expense of no mean side than record winners, Al Ahly of Egypt. He scored twice as the Tetouan-based side narrowly missed out on a historic place at the last four.

Name: Baghdâd Bounedjah Date of Birth: 24.11.1991 Country: Algeria Club: Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) Bounedjah has had a year to remember. His scintillating performances with Tunisian giants, Etoile du Sahel, in the continental club championship have not gone unnoticed, with a place in the Algeria national team the reward. The livewire of the Sousse-based club re-joined the club on a loan deal till the end of the year from Qatari side, Al Sadd, and has continued from where he left off. His six goals in as many matches were crucial in 'Les Diables Rouges' reaching the final of the second-tier continental club championship. Earlier, he won the Tunisian Cup with Etoile.

Name: Felipe Ovono Date of Birth: 26.07.1993 Country: Equatorial Guinea Club: Orlando Pirates (South Africa) Ovono became a continental hit following his agility between the sticks proving one of the decisive factors that pummelled hosts Equatorial Guinea to a semi-final berth at the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations. His heroics earned him a mega move to South African giants, Orlando Pirates, and he has not disappointed his new employers either. He featured in the Buccaneers journey to the final of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup.

Name: Kermit Erasmus Date of Birth: 08.07.1990 Country: South Africa Club: South Africa Erasmsus has been one of the key performers for Orlando Pirates this term, scoring five times as the Buccaneers reached the final of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup. He has enjoyed a fine partnership with Thamsanqa Gabuza, making the pair the most recognizable in the team. He continues to be a regular for Pirates in the current season on the domestic front.

Name: Mbwana Aly Samatta CONFEDERATION AFRICAINE DE FOOTBALL 3 Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street, El Hay El Motamayez, P.O. Box 23 6th October City, Egypt. Tel.: 202 3824 7272 / Fax: 202 3824 7274 Date of Birth: 23.12.1992 Country: Tanzania Club: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) Samatta has had a season to remember with DR Congo giants, TP Mazembe. After a barren streak, he rediscovered his scoring boots scoring six times including in the first leg final of the Orange CAF Champions League. He has gained notoriety for his consistency in front of goal as 'Les Corbeaux' eyes their first continental in five years. He has also been a regular for the Taifa Stars in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Name: Mohamed Meftah Date of Birth: 05.05.1985 Country: Algeria Club: USM Alger At the twilight of his career, Meftah has yet to show any sign of near the finish the line. Coming from a family of footballers that included two brothers and two cousins, he has enjoyed a stellar season. The right back was a pivot as his side USM Alger reached the CAF Champions League final for the first time in their history, and his nose for goals makes him a delight to watch.

Name: Modather Al Tayeb 'Karika' Date of Birth: 18.02.1986 Country: Sudan Club: El Hilal Nicknamed 'Careca' after the famous Brazilian nineties striker, Eltaib is the 'golden boy' of Sudanese football at the moment. He was a pain in the neck of many defenders during the Orange CAF Champions League, scoring three times as El Hilal reached the semis. He has also been involved with the Desert Hawks in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Name: Robert Kidiaba Muteba Date of Birth: 01.02.1976 Country: DR Congo Club: TP Mazembe Kidiaba is a clear example of the adage 'goalkeepers get better with age'. At 39, the TP Mazembe has yet to show any sign of fading. He has been impregnable for both club and country this year, serving a nightmare for many strikers. He started the year with a bronze medal with DR Congo at the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, where he was named in the Team of the tournament. At club level, he has played every minute of Mazembe's games in their journey to the final of the Orange CAF Champions League with some decisive saves in between.

Name: Roger Assalé Date of Birth: 13.11.1993 Country: Cote d'Ivoire Club: TP Mazembe (DR Congo) CONFEDERATION AFRICAINE DE FOOTBALL 3 Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street, El Hay El Motamayez, P.O. Box 23 6th October City, Egypt. Tel.: 202 3824 7272 / Fax: 202 3824 7274 The Ivorian youngster has been one of the key actors of TP Mazembe reaching the final of the Orange CAF Champions League. He will be hoping to the second time lucky after receiving a runner-up medal in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup in 2014 with his former club, Sewe Sport. He has dazzled fans of TP Mazembe with his skills, and has five goals to show for in the premier continental club championship. Assale was a member of the Ivorian that emerged champions at the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea at the beginning of the year.

Name: Zineddine Ferhat Date of Birth: 01.03.1993 Country: Algeria Club: USM Alger Ferhat is one of the pillars for Algerian surprise packets, USM Alger, in the journey to the Orange CAF Champions League final. The talented midfielder has been one of the reliable forces of the Hamdi Miloud side this term. His has amassed over 700 minutes of playing time with the 'Reds and Black' in the Orange CAF Champions League.

Source: CAFONLINE.COM