Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, has emerged as the best Nigerian footballer for 2018 after the AiteoCAF Awards held in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday.
Iwobi, who was the only Nigerian in CAF’s top ten, was ranked sixth best player in Africa behind Mehdi Benatia, Riyad Mahrez, his Arsenal team mate, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Liverpool duo of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who defended his crown as Africa’s best.
Mohamed Salah is the African Player of the Year 2018. For the second time in a row #AiteoCAFAwards18 pic.twitter.com/iLKIFDnZqB
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 8, 2019
The playmaker was particularly important for his club and especially Nigeria last year, helping the Super Eagles seal a place at the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia.
He scored some important goals including the decisive winner against the Chipolopolo of Zambia in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, as Nigeria booked her third successive World Cup appearance.
Iwobi’s form for the Super Eagles has also seen him help Nigeria qualify for the African Cup of Nations, AFCON, for the first time since their last appearance in 2013 when they won the competition.
The 22-year-old has kicked off 2019 in similar fashion, becoming as important to his club under new manager, Unai Emery, following the exit of former Gunners boss, the legendary Arsene Wenger.
He has scored two goals and provided four assists in just 12 matches for his club side in the Premier League this season.
Iwobi will be making his first appearance in the AFCON when the tournament kicks off later this year in Egypt.
