La Liga African MVP Award: Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze battles ex-Arsenal, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla stars

The Nigerian attacker faces stiff opposition in the race for the inaugural award for the best African player in the Spanish top flight

La Liga has nominated Super Eagles and Villarreal FC winger Samuel Chukwueze for the inaugural African MVP award, created to honour the best African player in the league.

Also nominated alongside Chukwueze are the Nigerian’s Villarreal teammates Ivory Coast’s fullback Serge Aurier, Senegalese forward Boulaye Dia, and Algerian defender Aissa Mandi.

Other nominees include Atletico Madrid’s Geoffrey Kondogbia, Valencia’s Illaix Moriba, and Real Betis’ Youssouf Sabaly.

Chukwueze will fancy his chances against the award’s favourites former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Barcelona teammates Ez Abde, as well as Sevilla’s Moroccan duo of goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

Bono edged Chukwueze to the mid-season edition of the award after winning the majority of the fans’ votes in January.

Renowned for his speed and brilliant left foot, Chukwueze has dazzled many La Liga fans with dribbles, flicks, and nutmegs. The former Golden Eaglets hero has also contributed three goals and three assists in 25 league appearances for Villarreal.

In the UEFA Champions League, the 22-year-old scored twice, including that late shocker at the Allianz Arena that knocked Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich out of the competition.

You can vote for Samuel Chukwueze here.