Nigeria
and Watford striker Odion Ighalo has revealed that he’s aiming to topple
the Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as
CAF African Footballer of the Year.
The Super Eagle’s player was speaking to
a Nigerian football website, Football Live.ng saying he’d like to break
the 19-year absence of Nigerians in the running for the African award.
The reports revealed that Nwankwo Kanu
was the last Nigerian to win the honours, but several players that had
come close include John Obi Mikel who finished as runner up to Ivory
Coast’s Yaya Toure.
Despite winning the award for the past
three years, Yaya, was beaten by the Gabonese skipper with the Elephants
saying it was unfair for him to lose the award. He also lashed out at
CAF as well as questioning the award criteria after the ceremony.
The Watford FC goal poacher was voted
the EPL’s Player of the Month for December and said hard work and
teamwork were the key to his brilliant form.
“I must thank my teammates for their contribution to every goal I scored. I owe them a lot for the award,” said Ighalo.
“Most people do not see the hard work I put into my game, the feel I just show up and score goals.
“Aubameyang (Pierre-Emerick) showed up
and won the award (APoTY) and I think I can do the same. It will require
a lot of hard work but it is surely achievable.”
The next CAF Award for the African Player
of the Year is set to be announced after the 2017 CAF African Cup of
Nations in Gabon next year.
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