Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Raïs Mbolhi has been named to the shortlist of 25 nominees for the 2014 African Footballer of the Year following his performance with Algeria during the World Cup in Brazil earlier this summer.
Mbolhi started all four games for Algeria and helped lead them to a surprising berth in the Round of 16, where they lost to eventual World Cup champions Germany 2-1 in extra time. Mbolhi finished the tournament by allowing seven goals on 27 shots on goal.
Mbolhi joined the Union after the conclusion of the tournament and appeared in four games for the club, posting a 1-1-2 record during his time in net. He is expected to battle with Zac MacMath and Andre Blake for the starting spot in 2015.
Manchester City star and Cote d’Ivoire hero Yaya Toure is the leading candidate for this year’s African Footballer award after winning the award each of the three previous years. If he wins, he’ll become the first player to win the award four consecutive times.
Ghana star Asamoah Gyan is also on the list after scoring two goals in the World Cup for the Black Stars.
The winner will be announced on Jan. 8.
