The former Marseille star explains that his latest nomination comes as a result of hardwork

Ghana winger Andre Ayew says he deserves his place in the five-man shortlist for the 2015 BBC African Footballer of the Year gong.

The Swansea forward made the shortlist released on Saturday alongside Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyung, Sadio Mane of Senegal and Southampton as well as Yacine Brahimi of Algeria and Porto.

“If am surprised, that means I don’t trust myself,” Ayew told Starr FM.

“I am not surprised. I’m just working hard and the result is showing on the pitch bit by bit.

“Hopefully, it’s going to continue.

“When you get a good beginning, people get to know you more, so I need to even work harder.”

The deputy Ghana captain, who won the accolade in 2011, has been in blistering form since joining English Premier League side Swansea in the summer.

With five goals in 12 matches, Ayew jointly stands fourth on the English topflight’s goal scorers chart.

Also nominated for the 2015 Caf African Footballer of the Year award, Ayew began his Premier League adventure with a strike on his debut as the Swans pulled a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the season opener.

Following two more strikes against Newcastle and Manchester United, the 25-year-old was named English Premier League Player for August, Swansea City Player for August as well as the Best African Footballer in the Premier League for the same month.

The winner of the 2015 BBC African Footballer of the Year award will be named on December 11.