Abou-Treika, Fathi to compete for best African player award

Former Egypt and Ahly playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika edged closer to winning a third individual award in Africa after being included in CAF's final shortlist for the best African-based player award. He will compete with Ahly teammate Ahmed Fathi and Nigeria's Sunday Mba, the African governing body announced on their website on Tuesday. Abou-Treika has retired from professional football earlier this month, crowning his career in style after guiding Ahly to a record-extending eighth Champions League triumph in November. He was injured in Ahly's opening game at the Club World Cup and immediately called it a day after finding out that he would be sidelined for six weeks. The 35-year-old, who scored in Ahly's 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Champions League final second-leg, is bidding to become the best African-based player for the third time, having won the award twice in 2008 and 2012. Right-back Fathi was also instrumental in Ahly's Champions League triumph while Nigeria midfielder Mba notched the only goal in his team's 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the African Cup of Nations final. Source: Ahram Online