Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu are in the running for the African Player of the Year 2012 after both were nominated for this year's prize.

The Ghanaian trio are on a list of 34 nominees which includes reigning African Player of the Year Yaya Toure.

The list will be whittled down in the coming weeks before the final announcement of the winner for this year’s edition, which will held on December 20 in Accra, Ghana.

Last year, Andre was second-runner up behind Yaya but this is Asamoah and Agyeman-Badu's first shot at the top award.

Other nominees are Didier Drogba, Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu, Emmanuel Myuka and Christopher Katongo all from Zambia, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Four Ghanaian internationals made the 32-man list for the African Player of the year – Based in Africa.

The Esperance duo of Emmanuel Clottey and Harrison Afful have both made the list of nominees and are joined by Razak Yakubu of Sudanese side Al Ahly Shandy and Berekum Chelsea's Solomon Asante.

The other categories for which winners will be announced on Awards Gala are as following:

1. National Team of the Year

2. Women’s Footballer of the Year

3. Women’s National Team of the Year

4. Club of the Year

5. Most Promising Talent of the Year

6. Coach of the Year

7. Referee of the Year

8. Legend Award

9. Fair Play Award

10. Platinum Award

11. Africa Finest XI