Africa Best Player Award: Ighalo out of contender for top prize

Africa Best Player Award: Ighalo out of contender for top prize

By Sampson Adedeji

The hope of Nigeria Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo to be crowned 2019 Africa player of the year was dashed on Sunday as CAF cut down the list of the contender from five to top 3 players.

The Shanghai Shehua striker was among the top 5 players listed after he emerged top scorer in both the qualifier and 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, BSN reports

The list was trimmed down to 3 players which includes the Liverpool duo of Mohammed Sallah and Sadio Mane alongside Algeria and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.

Apart from Ighalo, Nigeria players still featured in the other areas of the award.

In the shortlist for the African Women’s Player of the Year is Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, who will contend with Ajara Nchout of Cameroun and Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa.

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi will battle with two Nigerians, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen, for the African Youth Player of the Year.

Former Super Falcons manager, Thomas Dennerby has South Africa’s Desiree Ellis and Cameroun’s Alain Djeumfa to compete with in the African Women’s Coach of the Year category.

Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa are the top three African Women’s National Team of the Year contenders.