‘No Ndidi, no Troost-Ekong?’ – Ogu slams CAF’s 2018 Best XI selection

Nigeria midfielder and Hapoel Beer Sheva star, John Ogu believes the Confederation of African Football (CAF) got it wrong in their African Best XI selection for year 2018.

The continental football house, during its annual award Gala in Dakar, Senegal on Tuesday night, named an African Team of the Year that did not include any Nigerian player.

And Ogu, who took to his Twitter after the awards ceremony, slammed CAF for excluding Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, defender Williams Troost-Ekong and even striker Ighalo Jude from the list.

“Let’s put sentiment aside, I can argue this anywhere that @Ndidi25, @WTroostEkong, even @ighalojude all should be there,” he wrote.

“Award is based on your performance for club and country and not how big of a club you play in. Ndidi plays for arguably the best league in the world.”

Read Also: CAF Awards: Salah wins, Oshoala misses out as Super Falcons reign again

He continued: “My brothers @Ndidi25 , @WTroostEkong. We are proud of you two. I see you guys everyday in the National team and I see how dedicated and motivated you both are. I’m super proud of you two. Never stop working . You guys are destined for the top.

“Ekong, Ndidi had a better season for their clubs,Made it to the World Cup. Had a decent performance at the World Cup and you say clubs they play in?Aurier, Bailly,Keita all didn’t make it.

“Sorry to say this but @Ndidi25 should be here . My own opinion. Guys in that position didn’t do more than him.”

“[Mehdi] Benatia, [Serge] Aurier are not even regulars for their clubs,” he pointed out.

Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns/Uganda), Serge Aurier (Tottenham/Ivory Coast), Medhi Benatia (Juventus/Morocco), Eric Bailly (Manchester United/Ivory Coast), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli/Senegal), Naby Keita (Liverpool/Guinea), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid/Ghana), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria); Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal/Gabon) and Sadio Mane (Liverpool/Senegal) all made the African team of the year.

Meanwhile, Ndidi also missed out on the Youth Player Award, a category in which he made the final three shortlist.

Egypt’s Salah was crowned African Footballer of the Year for the second time in a row.

 

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