Toure has not played for his country since the Nations Cup but has shown signs of returning to his best after suffering a form dip with City.

Ayew was the leading figure for Ghana in Equatorial Guinea, where they finished runners-up after a penalty shootout, and also shone for Olympique de Marseille in the second half of last season before the forward joined English Premier League Swansea City.

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who like Ayew is French-born, was nominated for his goalscoring exploits in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.

The winner will be decided by a vote of national coaches and technical directors and announced at a gala ceremony in Nigeria on Jan. 7.