Gyan has special message for Partey and Atsu after nomination

Black Stars skipper

The duo were the only Ghanaian players who earned nomination on the 30-man shortlist for the 2017 CAF African Footballer of the Year award.

Gyan who came close to winning to award in 2010 but was beaten to hit by Samuel Eto’o has congratulated his national teammates.

''I congratulate Christian Atsu and Thomas Partey because they have really worked hard,'' Gyan told Kumasi-based Angel FM in Kumasi.

''They have been able to fit themselves into the Black Stars team and their various teams.

''Thomas Partey especially, has been in superb form this season for both club and country.

''He [Partey] has managed to score five goals in his last four games played for Ghana. He is a very good footballer and he has added goal scoring in his game, he scored in the champions league this week and won the man of the match award during the AFCON and that shows he has consistently at his dispose, just as Atsu for Newcastle.''

The winner will be decided by votes from the Head Coaches/Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee and a panel of Media Experts.

Gyan, who is Ghana's record scorer, praised the Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid stars for this feat.

The Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, 4 January 2018 in Accra, Ghana