Liverpool marksman will be the second Egyptian after Mahmoud El Khatib to win the African Footballer of the Year when the much-anticipated announcement is made today at the International Conference Centre in the capital city of Ghana, Accra on Thursday.

These are what makes Salah stand tall among his two competitors for the gong- Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

He single-handedly qualified Egypt for the World Cup

Salah is credited for Egypt’s FIFA World Cup qualification. He scored 5-goals in 2018 the qualification process, including two on the final day against Congo. Compared to his competitors-  Mane was part of an all-round Senegal team, despite being the star man of the Taranga Lions, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabon failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Goal scoring feat

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had an incredible goal scoring form in 2017, registering over 40 goals in the year under review.

However, Mohamed Salah who got over 30 goals in 2017 deserve much plaudits, because he did that whiles operating from the wings as against Aubameyang, who is a centre-forward leading the attack of Borussia Dortmund.

One other thing was that, Salah scored more important goals in 2017 than his two competitors for the CAF Footballer of the Year- Sadio Mane and Aubameyang. He was the scorer of the two goals that sent Egypt to their first World Cup in 28 years in a game against Congo Brazzaville.

READ MORE: Emmanuel Eboue was cursed by his ex-girlfriend- Kwaku Bonsam

Record equaling feat

In the rich history of Liverpool only one player had previously bagged 23 goals for the club before New Year. Salah who has established himself as an Anfield icon scored a brace to hand Jurgen Kopp’s side all the three points against Leicester City last week Saturday.

The two goals by Mohamed Salah enabled him to tie a Liverpool record after scoring his 23rd goal of the season before New Year's Day. That brace brought Salah to 17 goals in this Premier League campaign, and 23 in 29 matches in all competitions before the new year — equalling a Liverpool record he now shares with Roger Hunt.

He has outshined Sadio Mane at Liverpool

The Senegalese was emerging as the star man at Anfield, following the uncertainty regarding Philippe Coutinho’s future with the club, but his fellow African Salah has beaten him to it with consistent goal scoring form to earn the praises of most lovers of the game.

This would come into play when assessing the performance of the two players during voting for the 2017 African Footballer of the Year. The two players have both helped their respective countries book a place in Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup this summer and playing for the same side one would asses their impact in the team. Salah has 23 goals to his name since joining Liverpool this summer and before the Christmas break he was the leading top scorer in the Premier League, but Harry Kane has surpassed him.

The end justifies the means

Salah has been exceptional in the business end of the year, prior to the CAF awards. The difference between him and his two other competitors- Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is wide. ill

The enviable feat of the Egyptian would be fresh in the minds of voters when they cast their votes for the 2017 Aiteo CAF Footballer of the Year Award.

It is expected that Mohamed Salah would have a landslide victory when the winner of the award is announced on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Accra on Thursday night.