Alex Iwobi
Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Francis Uzoho have been shortlisted for the 2019 Confederation of African Football best XI.
Former Nigeria international Odion Ighalo, who finished as top scorer at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with five goals, was also nominated.
While Nigeria have four players nominated, AFCON champions Algeria have 10 of their winning-team among the nominees.
Liverpool have their four African stars on the shortlist after lifting the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League trophy.
The CAF awards will take place in Cairo, Egypt on January 7, when the African Footballer of the Year will also be announced.
Uzoho would be facing competition from nine other goalkeepers – Moez Ben Cherifia, Yassine Bonnou, Mohamed El Shenaway, Sylvain Gbohouo, Rais M’bolhi, Edouard Mendy, Richard Ofori, Andre Onana, and Denis Onyango.
None of Nigeria’s defenders was nominated. Those shortlisted in the defence category are Youcef Atal, Serge Aurier, Mehdi Benatia, Ahmed El-Mohammadi, Lamine Gassama, Faouzi Ghoulam, Achraf Hakimi, Ahmed Hegazi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Luyindama, Issa Mandi, Joel Matip, Noussair Mazraoui, Yassine Meriah, and Youssouf Sabaly.
Iwobi and Ndidi would be contending with Riyad Mahrez and 14 other midfielders – Andre-Frank Anguissa, Ismael Bennacer, Sofiane Feghouli, Idrissa Gueye, Tarek Hamed, Wahbi Khazri, Naby Keita, Franck Kessie, Thomas Partey, Mubarak Wakaso, Victor Wanyama, and Hakim Ziyech.