CAF Announces Nominees' List: 5 Nigerian Players Shortlisted For 2016 Glo CAF Awards

Days after bagging its first win of the World Cup qualifying group games, Nigeria has another reason to smile again after five of her players were shortlisted for the 2016 Glo CAF Awards. Nigerian trio Kelechi Iheanacho, Mikel Obi, and Ahmed Musa made the list of 30 players shortlisted by the Confederation of African Football for the continent's individual prestigious prize.Mikel Obi inspired a Nigerian side to win bronze at the recent Rio Olympics, while Ahmed Musa put in noticeable display with Russian champions CKSA Moscow before joining Premier League champions in the Summer. Of the trio, Iheanacho's inclusion comes with a bit of surprise even though well attained after the Man City forward experienced a breakthrough season with the Citizens in the Premier League. The 20-year-old striker has also established himself at full international level after he has represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels.
Also, the duo of Mfon Udoh of Enyimba FC and Chisom Chikatara of Wydad FC of Morocco made the cut for the Africa-based Player of the Year award.
The list currently contains current holder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and award favorite Riyad Mahrez. Surprisingly, there is no nomination for four-time winner Yaya Toure of Cote d'Ivoire and Manchester City.
The city of Abuja, will once again host the Glo-CAF Awards, which is scheduled for January 5, 2017 at the International Conference Centre.

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