Black Leopards' captain Mongezi Bobe received the shock of his life when he was among the 32 nominees for the African Player of the Year award for Africa-based players.

The award is for all the Africa-based players who have distinguished themselves on the continent during the past year. Bobe played a major role in Lidoda Duvha’s campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup last season. He made a significant contribution and scored as Leopards made it to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Bobe told the Limpopo Mirror of his excitement, but also said that it felt surreal for him to be nominated. “It is really great. I still can’t believe it. It’s a big thing for me to be there one of the nominees among the best players in Africa. I am really surprised.”

The award Bobe is vying for is not the African Footballer of the Year – the main award.

Bobe continues: "Playing in Africa helped us to do well in the league, because the team spirit and toughness had increased and we were more motivated. We also wanted to make a name for ourselves and prove people wrong, that we were not only there to make up the numbers.”

Bobe will face stiff competition for the award this year. Three players made it onto both the African-based and the overall award lists.

CAF will announce the top five nominees for the African footballer of the Year (based in Africa) by late October after the voting by the relevant CAF standing committee members, namely the media, technical and football committees. The names of the five finalists will be sent to the national association head coaches and secretary generals to select the top three.

The awards evening will be held in Accra, Ghana, on 20 December.