Mikel

Nigeria’s trio of John Obi Mikel, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho were on Saturday named among 30 nominees for the 2016 CAF African Player of the Year Award.

According to the list posted on the website of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the three Nigerians would be in contention at the award ceremony scheduled for Jan. 5, 2017 in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three Super Eagles players will vie for the award with other top African stars like Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, Andre Ayew of Ghana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon.

NAN reports that Mikel, who captains the Eagles and plies his trade at Chelsea of London, led the Nigerian Dream Team to win a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

On his part, Musa helped his former team CSKA Moscow to win the Russian title before moving to England in July to join reigning English champions, Leicester City, while Iheanacho is in Manchester City’s first team.

For the Award of African Player of the year based in Africa, two Nigerians also made the list of 25 nominees for the award.

The nominees are Mfom Udo of Enyimba FC of Aba and Chisom Chikatara of Wydad Athletic Club, Casablanca, Moroco. (NAN)