CAF Awards 2019: Ighalo, Chukwueze, Osimhen sure of podium finish

Harry Awurumibe, Abuja

As the January 7 date for the 2020 CAF Awards ceremony draws nearer, Nigeria’s best prospects to return home with awards are the trio of Odion Jude Ighalo, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen may likely be on the podium on the awards night.

Ighalo who plays his trade in China with Shanghai Shenhua FC; Chukwueze who plays in La Liga for Villarreal and Lille Metropole of France goalpoacher, Osimhen are still in the race after the first stage of vetting by the awards organizers,CAF.

According to the release by CAF on Wednesday, Ighalo who retired from the Super Eagles shortly after the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Egypt made the last 10 finalists for the African Footballer of the Year category while the duo of Chukwueze and Osimhen are still in the list of the five players competing to win the CAF Youth Player Award.

Other three youth players remaining in contention with Chukwueze and Osimhen are Acharaf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmund), Krepin Diatta (Senegal & Club Brugge) and Moussa Djenepo (Mali & Southampton).

A close look at the remaining contenders for the African Footballer of the Year and Youth Player Award revealed that both Ighalo who was the Highest goalscorer in the last AFCON in Egypt and Chukwueze who scored a goal against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the same competition may just be named in the last three finalists in their different categories as CAF has said that nominees will be assessed by the previous performances for club and country.

Although this caveat emptor may count against some contenders, Osimhen who has been in good scoring form for Nigeria and Lille since this season may sneak into the Youth Players Award finalists as he was also a member of the Super Eagles team to Egypt but has since announced his arrival on the African and world stage with goals for club and country.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Senior National Teams, Super Eagles and Super Falcons may have tough times beating other four national teams to the title respectively.

Aside of lifting the 2018 AWCON trophy in Ghana and reaching the Round of 16 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in France, Falcons failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan. This will surely work against the reigning African Champions.

Also, Eagles’ third-place finish in the last AFCON may not win the country the award as Algeria, the winner of the competition and Coach Aliou Cisse’s Senegal that took Silver medal are likely to be rated above Nigeria.