Former Nigeria gaffer Samson Siasia has backed CAF's decision not to include Zambia skipper Christopher Katongo in the final shortlist for the 2012 African Football of the Year.

Ivorians Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba have been named in the three - man shortlist. But it is the inclusion of Barcelona's Alex Song in place of Katongo that has been heavily criticized.

''He did very well, but after the Nations Cup we never heard of him. And I think this is one thing the judges were looking at.

''I don’t know how they do the selection but I think your performance at your club is also a major factor,'' Siasia was quoted as saying by ghanasoccernet.com.

The BBC recently named Katongo as the African Football of the Year, an award which was voted for by the fans.

Photo Credit: zambianfootball.co.zm.