Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, have been crowned the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year, in a keenly contested award.
While Osimhen bagged the men’s award, Oshoala won the women’s title at an event held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday.
Osimhen, who plies his trade with Napoli FC of Italy won the coveted prize after Nwankwo Kanu who won it in 1999.
Osimhen beat Liverpool and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah and PSG and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi to win the crown.
The Super Eagles striker had an excellent football season in 2022 as he helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time after over 30 years.
He had also emerged as the Serie A Player of the season having scored 26 league goals and 31 in all competitions.
For 29-year-old Oshoala, this is her sixth time of winning the award, having won it in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Super Falcon’s Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie also won the women’s goalkeeper of the year prize, while the team was named the best women’s national team in Africa.
Also, Super Falcons players Michelle Alozie and Tosin Demehin made the CAF women’s best XI.
SPORTS MINISTER
The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh has congratulated Victor Osimhen, and Asisat Oshoala for securing the coveted titles of Men’s and Women’s African Footballer of the Year.
The duo won the awards at the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards.
The minister gave the commendation on Monday in Abuja shortly after the CAF awards night held in Marrakech, Morocco.
He described the duo’s triumph in clinching the most prestigious individual accolades in African football as a testament to their outstanding talent, dedication, and immense contributions to the round leather game.
Enoh commended their exemplary performances, which had not only made Nigeria proud but had also garnered global recognition for their exceptional skills and commitment.
The minister also commended Chiamaka Nnadozie who won the inaugural Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award, to solidify her position as the best goalkeeper in Africa.
“The victory of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie and the Super Falcons at the CAF Awards not only brings pride and honor to Nigeria but also opens a new vista for the country’s sports landscape.
“Their achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring young athletes, demonstrating that hard work, dedication, and talent can lead to remarkable success on the global stage.
“Osimhen’s growth from the local suburb of Olusosun to the world stage is a demonstration of why grassroots development is a major part of our plans.
“This administration is committed to creating a platform for more Osimhens, Oshoalas, etc. We will foster the development of our sports, and ensure we set the path for the future.” he said.
Enoh noted that Osimhen and Oshoala (two Nigerians) had created a new record of being the first players from the same country to win the coveted prize in the same year.
He also hailed the Super Falcons for emerging the best Women’s National team of the year.
EX-INTERNATIONALS, COACHES
Some ex-internationals and coaches on Monday applauded the trio of Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie for winning the 2023 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) awards.
Fanny Amu, a former coach of the Golden Eaglets, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said winning in those categories was no child’s play.
“It’s a good thing for our football, this goes to show that we have the talents, this has never been in doubt. Now we’ve been reminded of how far these players can go when they’re well nurtured.
“Congratulations to the players and to each and every Nigerian all over the world. We haven’t had it this good in the last ten years, I’m proud of them,” he said.
Similarly, Wahidi Akanni, former Super Eagles player, said the awards would give the national teams more confidence to thrive in the world and not just Africa.
“Huge congratulations to the fantastic trio, they deserve this win, this is good for our football and I commend them.
“This is a new dawn. This will further motivate upcoming players, if they can remain focussed and consistent, they can achieve this too,” he said.
Also, Stella Mbachu, a former Super Falcons player, said she wasn’t surprised that the Oshoala and Nnadozie made it to the podium.
“They wowed me, it’s such a good night to be a Nigerian. Well done to Victor, and my girls, they made it look easy but that’s what you get when you have worked hard enough.
“I want every boy child and girl child to be inspired by tonight, congratulations to the entire team,” she said.
Rita Nwadike, a former midfielder who scored Nigeria’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal against Canada in the 1995 tournament in Sweden, expressed excitement over the awards.
“Our players have given a good account of themselves. Their performance at the World Cup held everyone spellbound. The number of awards won tonight is a reminder.
“Congratulations to the entire team, they should be proud of themselves, they deserve to savour every bit of this victory,” she said.
FOOTBALL ENTHUSIASTS
Some football enthusiasts in Enugu on Tuesday extoled the Nigerian trio of Victor Oshimen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie for winning the 2023 CAF Men’s and Women’s African Footballer of the Year awards.
The Chairman Enugu State Football Association, Tony Ugwu said the awards showed the evolution of Nigerian football after all these years.
“All the awards are significant, however those of Osimhen and Nnadozie gave me joy and one of the greatest attributes of Osimhen is his zeal, passion and consistency,” he said.
Uchenna Orji, chairman Rangers Supporters Club said the trio of Osimen, Ashoala, and Nnaedozie clinched those titles due to hard work.
According to him, the award came as the result of dedication and focus on their goals and it is a welcome development.
“It signifies individual growth in football in Nigeria; I hope it will have a good impact on the National team as the Super Eagles are presently struggling.
“I hope this award won by Osimhen will boost the courage of the team to soar higher at the upcoming African cup of Nations in January,”he said.
Orji said the awards showed that Nigeria is gradually coming back to reckoning in African football once more.
“If CAF had not given it to Osimhen then, I will say there was a foul play,”Orji said.
Coach Anistar Izuikem of Coal City United, said the four awards signified the level of talents scattered in this great country called Nigeria.
Izuikem commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the time and resources they are investing in our women football.
“The award that gives me joy the most is the Men best player which had eluded the country for 24 years after Kanu Nwanktwo won it last,” the gaffer said.
He said that Oshimen would find it difficult to retain the award next year because of the competition from other countries, adding that it was a good outing.
NFF
Ibrahim Gusau, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has commended Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie and the Super Falcons for scooping the major CAF 2023 awards in Morocco.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the NFF on Monday, said Gusau was a very happy, as Nigeria swept important honours at this year’s CAF Football Awards held in Marrakech, Morocco.
He said that the NFF boss dedicated the award to all women football teams on the African continent.
Gusau said Nnadozie, who shone brightly at the FIFA World Cup finals in this was the undoubted winner of the honour of Goalkeeper of the Year (Women).
The Paris FC of France safe hands made a moving speech: “To all the young girls growing up in Africa, dreaming of becoming a footballer one day, believe me dreams do come true.
“My dad didn’t want me to play football but I’m sure he’s gonna see this and be happy.
“So, keep dreaming, keep working and I believe that one day you’ll get to this stage,” she said.
After Asisat Oshoala won a record-extending sixth award as Player of the Year (Women), the auditorium went silent as it was time to present the men’s version.
The statement quoted Gusau as saying that he was very excited, adding that it had been hugely rewarding for Nigeria’s football and for the country as a whole.
“I congratulate Osimhen, Oshoala and Nnadozie, and I congratulate the Super Falcons as a team for bringing us this honour.
“My charge would be that they all keep doing what they know how to do best, keep improving and keep winning.
“The sky will be the beginning for them,” he said.
Osimhen became the first player in the history of the African Football Awards to have been crowned Player of the Year (Men) after having pocketed the Young Player of the Year (Men) in an earlier year.
Only last Monday, the 24-year-old was crowned the 2022/2023 Player of the Year in Italy’s Serie A, after having won the Young Player of the Year in the same league in the 2021/2022 season.
