Ghana football legend Rev Osei Kofi believes Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Teye Partey has the potential to win the African Footballer of Year in the future.
Speaking exclusively in an interview with Goal.com, the former Ghana international said Partey, who was among the 43 nominees for this year's award, has the everything to win the continent's conveted individual prize.
The 25-year-old failed to make the final shortlist, however, he was named in the Africa Best XI announced at the Caf Awards Gala held in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday.
"Thomas Partey is a great talent. He has everything to become African best one day because his progression has always been perfect," Osei told Goal.
"I would have wished to see him in the final shortlist but he made it in the best 11 players on the continent and that must be a big motivation for him.
"He needs to build on this and achieve a lot this season and next season. If he can work hard to be a regular starter for his club, he would be able to lift this individual trophy one day. The Afcon will be played this year so winning it can even enhance his chances ahead of other nominees," he added.
No Ghanaian player has won the award since Abedi 'Pele' Ayew won it between 1991 and 1993, although Sammy Osei Kuffour, Michael Essien and Andre Ayew have made the three-man short-list at different times.