The prestigious finalist category includes Ivorians Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba of Shanghai Shenhua, and Cameroon's Alexandre Song.
The award to be handed out at a ceremony in Accra.
Midfielder Toure, 29, is the defending champion, while Drogba, 34, has won twice before. A third win would edge the striker closer to Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o's record four trophies.
Drogba helped guide Chelsea to a UEFA Champions League victory and his national team to a narrow defeat in the finals at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Toure won the English Premier League title with Manchester City and also performed well at the African tournament.