CAF Awards : Premier League Stars Mikel, Musa, Iheanacho Hoping To Emulate Yekini, Amuneke, Ikpeba & Kanu

Five Nigeria internationals have been recognized for their performances in 2016, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) nominating them for the prestigious African Player of the Year and African Player of the Year–Based in Africa.

Whilst Premier League trio John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Ahmed Musa (Leicester City) and Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City) are among 30 nominees for the African Player of the Year, Wydad Casablanca striker Chisom Chikatara and Enyimba frontman Mfon Udoh have an opportunity to claim the best player based in Africa.

Midfielder Mikel skippered Nigeria at the Olympic Games, playing six games as they won the bronze medal, Musa earned a big money move to Premier League champs Leicester City in the summer while Iheanacho has impressed for club and country.

Former Abia Warriors poster boy Chikatara enjoyed an excellent campaign at the 2016 African Nations Championship despite Nigeria crashing out in the group stage, with a hat-trick against Niger the highlight of his performance.

Past Nigerian winners of the African Player of the Year include Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba.

Nominees - African Player of the Year

1.Ahmed Musa (Nigeria & Leicester City)
2.Andre Ayew (Ghana & West Ham)
3.Aymen Abdennour Tunisia & Valencia)
4.Benjamin Mounkandjo (Cameroon & Lorient)
5.Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)
6.Dennis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
7.El Arabi Hillel Soudani (Algeria & Dinamo Zagreb)
8.Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United)
9.Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax)
10.Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City)
11.Itumeleng Khune (South Africa & Kaizer Chiefs)
12.John Mikel Obi (Nigeria & Chelsea)
13.Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli)
14.Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
15.Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)
16.Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns)
17.Mbwana Samatta (Tanzania & Genk)
18.Mehdi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)
19.Mohamed El Neny (Egypt & Arsenal)
20.Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma)
21.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Dortmund)
22.Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
23.Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
24.Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon & Antalyaspor)
25.Serge Aurier (Cote d’Ivoire & PSG)
26.Victor Wanyama (Kenya & Tottenham)
27.Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia & Sunderland)
28.William Jebor (Liberia & Wydad Athletic Club)
29.Yannick Bolasie (DR Congo & Everton)
30.Yao Kouasi Gervais ‘Gervinho’ (Cote d’Ivoire & Hebei Fortune)


Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : mancity.com