Chipolopolo Boys skipper Rainford Kalaba has made the short list for the CAF Africa based African Player of the Year.
The 30 year old led TP Mazembe to CAF Confederations Cup triumph. The Mufulira native scored a brace in the final to take his tally to 7 goals in as many games and topped the goal scoring charts despite playing on the flanks.
He is up against Sundowns quartet of Khama Billiat, Keagan Dolly, Hlompho Kekana, and goalkeeper Denis Onyango. Sundowns won the CAF Champions League.
This is the second time ‘Ba Mupa’ has been nominated for the award following the 2012 nominations. Stopilla Sunzu was also nominated.
Kalaba has been one of the most successful players on the continent. In addition to the Confederations Cup, he also has a CAF Champions League medal as well as an AFCON medal.
The candidates for the Africa-based African Player of the Year are:
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Khama Billiat of Mamelodi Sundowns and Zimbabwe
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Keegan Dolly of Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa
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Rainford Kalaba of TP Mazembe and Zambia
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Hlompho Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns and South Africa
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Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns and Uganda
The top five in each category was decided by votes from the members of the Caf Media Committee, Caf Technical & Development Committee and half of the 20-member Panel of Experts.
For the final phase, votes from the Head Coaches/Technical Directors of the 54 National Associations affiliated to Caf plus Associate Members, Reunion Island and Zanzibar, together with the other half of the 20-member Panel of Experts will be counted towards the determination of the eventual winners.
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria on Thursday, 5 January 2017.
go go go kalaba its yo time to win it now
This award will be won by Kalaba. Only Billiat comes close to the master. We should also look at the history of the player. He’s been there and done that. All the best Kalaba.
Kalaba is the most decorated player . His chances of winning are very high..
Player of the Year they dont look at “decorations” or history of the player, its how he performed that particular year. Yes hes a good player but he wasnt picked simply because he was on Chipolopolo 2012 Cup team, or he scared so many goals for 2013, 2014. If thats the case even Ntofu Ntofu should be considered based on how he has played and scored in the South African 2015/16 PSL.
kalaba’s record speaks for itself – he is the most deserving. C’mon CAF give it to us!!!
Well done kalaba this is your time you deserve this award .
All The Best Kalaba! Its Jst Yo Time Now.
I think Kalaba has been the best and Sundowns were just lucky even to be in the finals of Champions League.Another outstanding player was Jackson Mwananza
I mean Jackson Mwanza
good news ba master
not ba caf bakalufyanye kwati filya chali kuli Sunzu
Kalaba deserves it but I give mer8t to young billiat and dolly hope they develop into stars
well done mr rainfod