Africa Player of the Year: Iwobi makes top 10 list
*Musa, Ighalo, Rohr, Eagles out!
Super Eagles and Arsenal winger star Alex Iwobi made the top 10 cut Friday as Confederation of African Football announced the short list considerations for the prestigious award.
Iwobi was the only Nigerian in the top 10 men’s category with national teammates Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo who had made the initial 30-man list missing. Iwobi who has become a regular for the Gunners in recent times has also been very impressive in national outings.
The trio of Iwobi, Musa and Ighalo featured at the last world cup in Russia with Musa and Iwobi getting some pass mark despite Super Eagles poor run in Russia while Ighalo was hauled basket of stones for missing begging chances. He however returned with a bang to contribute in no small measure to the team’s qualification for the 2019 African Cup of Nations the venue of which is yet to be announced.
In the women’s category, Asissat Oshoala and Onome Ebi remained in contention after making the 11-women cut off. Leicester City midfielder Wilifred Ndidi who missed Nations cup clash against South Africa following caution made the three man cut for Youth Player of the year, just as 9-time African Champions Super Falcons made the cut for female national team of the year alongside Cameroon and South Africa.
In the Coaches category German tactician Gernot Rohr failed to make the 3-man cut which has Aliou Cisse (Senegal) Herve Renard (Morocco) and Moine Chaabani (Esperance). Rohr’s Super Eagles also failed to make the top three where
Madagascar,Mauritania and Uganda hold sway. Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby however continued to keep hope alive in the Women’s coach of the year where he will battle against Desiree Ellis (South Africa) and Joseph Brian Ndoko (Cameroon)
The shortlisted nominees were decided by votes from the members of the CAF Technical & Development Committee.
The final phase will involve votes from CAF Media Experts, Legends, Coaches of the quarter-finalists of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, and Coaches & Captains of the 54 Member Associations.
The Awards Gala, to honour footballers and officials who distinguished themselves during the year under review, will be held on Tuesday, 8 January 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.