African Player Of The Year : Iwobi Battles Liverpool Stars For Award; Musa & Ighalo Not In Top Ten

The Confederation of African Football earlier nominated three Nigeria internationals for the prestigious African Player of the Year Award but only one made the list of ten finalists announced on Friday morning.

While Asian-based duo Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo have missed out on the prize, Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi is still flying Nigeria's flag.

The Hale End Academy product faces tough competition to win the accolade, as Liverpool strikers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are still in the running as well as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) and Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City).

In the category of Men's Coach of the Year, Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr has been ruled out while AWCON Winning coach Thomas Dennerby is battling Desiree Ellis (South Africa) and Joseph Brian Ndoko (Cameroon) for the Women's Coach of the Year.

The nailed on favourite to win the Youth Player of the Year, Wilfred Ndidi is now battling Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmunmd) and Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire & AC Milan) for the award.

Nigeria are among three nominees for Women's National Team of the Year while Super Falcons trio Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega and Onome Ebi and eight other players are among the 11 finalists for Women's Player of the Year.

The awards gala, dedicated to honoring footballers and officials who have distinguished themselves during the year, will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.

1. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)
2. André Onana (Cameroon & Ajax)
3. Anis Badri (Tunisia & Esperance)
4. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
5. Mehdi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)
6. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal)
8. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Manchester City)
9. Sadio Mané (Senegal & Liverpool)
10. Walid Soliman (Egypt & Ahly)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel