Coach Appiah believes the former AS Roma player deserves to be crowned with the continent's most prestigeous award after a successful year which saw him lead Egypt to its first FIFA World Cup qualification in 27 years.

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Speaking to the Graphic Sports on the sidelines of CAF's unveiling of the three shortlisted players for this year's awards, Coach Appiah said he expected Salah to win the award following his impressive display for Liverpool in the English Premier League.

"I believe Mohammed Salah deserves this year's Africa Player of the Year award after a stellar campaign with both club and country.

"He makes the difference in games and I tip him to win the award over the other contestants. It will be a surprise to me should he fail to be crowned on January 4," he said.

Following an impressive campaign which has seen him score 20 goals in all competitions for Liverpool, Salah won this year's BBC African Player of the Year earlier in the month and would hope to add the Africa best accolade to it.

Salah will have to beat off competition from fellow Liverpool marksman, Sadio Mane, and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund.

Mane was instrumental in Senegal's path to qualifying to next year's World Cup, aside from his impressive performances for Liverpool since joining the Reds in 2016.

Aubameyang, the Gabonese hotshot, netted 31 times to win last season’s top scorer award in the German Bundesliga and has continued his prolific form with 21 goals in 23 appearances for his club this season.

When asked whether he was disappointed at not seeing a Ghanaian in CAF's final shortlist, Coach Appiah said his side was in a rebuilding process and needed time to have an exceptional player for such an award.