SPORTS: AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR MOSES AND EKONG NOMINATED.

Moses, Ekong make African Player of the Year shortlist

— 2nd November 2017

BY BENEDICT ODINAKA EZEOKA writing for ODOGWU MEDIA. 

 Victor Moses and William Troost-Ekong of Super Eagles of Nigeria have been nominated alongside 28 others for the 2017 African Footballer of the Year.

Moses and Ekong who were instrumental to Nigeria’s qualification of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup were among the 30 players shortlisted for Africa’s top individual honor.

Moses, who had a fantastic season last year with Chelsea, helping the London club win the  EPL trophy, is among the favorites for the award alongside Liverpool’s duo of Saido Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Another Nigerian, Junior Ajayi who plies his professional trade with Al Ahly of Egypt was among the 30 names selected for the African player of the year based in Africa.

Portuguese outfit Porto supplied the most players with Algerian Yacine Brahimi, Malian Moussa Marega and Cameroonian Vincent Aboubakar listed.

Surprise 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon have three hopefuls – Aboubakar, Sevilla goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa and China-based winger Christian Bassogog on the list.

Reigning African Player of the year, Riyad Mahrez of Algeria is conspicuously missing in the 30-man list released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday.

Nigerian energy giants, AITEO, are the headline sponsors of next year’s edition that will see players, officials and administrators who distinguished themselves during the year under review being honoured.

The winner will be decided by votes from the Head Coaches/Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee and a panel of Media Experts.

The Awards Gala would be held on Thursday, 4 January 2018 in Accra, Ghana