Sports

Nigeria Returns To The Summit Of African Football As Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie Scoop CAF Awards

Published

1 year ago

Dec 11, 2023.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Nigeria has reclaimed its position at the forefront of African football in a triumphant resurgence as Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie gracefully scoop prestigious honors at the 2023 CAF Awards.

This resounding success not only underscores their individual brilliance but also reaffirms Nigeria’s prowess on the continental football stage.

Victor Osimhen

The Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Victor Osimhen was crowned the 2023 CAF player of the year after a scintillating 2023-2024 season with Italian Seria A giant, Napoli.

From the nomination point of the 2023 CAF awards, the 24-years old talisman was seen as the major contender for the award after finishing eighth in the 2023 Ballon d’Or, the highest finish for any African player in this year’s edition of the award.

Winning the 2023 edition of the CAF Player Of The Year makes Osimhen the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu won it in 1999.

Osimhen won the award ahead of Egypt’s Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint Germain.

The Napoli striker, who scored 26 goals last season, made history as the first African player to win the Serie A Golden Boot. He also played a significant role in Napoli’s first Serie A title in thirty-three years in the 2022-2023 season.

In the women category, super falcons of Nigeria striker, Asisat Oshoala was named 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year winner for a record six times.

Asisat Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala, the first African female football player to win the UEFA Champions League (during the 2022-2023 season), grabbed the prestigious CAF award after recording an outstanding season with FC Barcelona and the Super Falcons.

The 29-year-old was announced the winner of the gong at the award ceremony held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday night, December 11.

Oshoala had been adjudged the best African female footballer in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and now in 2023, making her the most successful female player at the CAF awards.

The FC Barcelona superstar defeated Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa and Barbra Banda of Zambia to win the 2023 edition of the award.

Asisat Oshoala also made CAF women’s best eleven alongside two other Super Falcons of Nigeria players, Michelle Alozie and Tosin Demehin.

Chiamaka Nnadozie

Similarly, Super Falcons of Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, was named the winner of the 2023 CAF goalkeeper of the year.

Chiamaka Nnadozie defeated two other goalkeepers, Morocco’s Khadija El-Rmichi and South African Andile Olaminii, to win the award in Morocco.

In the year under review, Nnadozie bravely blocked three penalties, including one from Christine Sinclair in the 50th minute of the 2023 Women’s World Cup match against Olympic champions Canada.

Her performance during the game earned her Player of the Match award, a goalless draw for the Super Falcons, and international attention.

The Super Falcons who crashed out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the round of 16 stage against England, won the Women’s national team of the year.

Full List Of Winners At The 2023 CAF Awards:

1. The 2023 Men’s Coach of the Year award winner: Walid Regragui of Morocco

2. The 2023 Women’s Coach of the Year award winner: Desiree Ellis of South Africa.

3. Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year winner: Chiamaka Nnadozie from Nigeria.

4. Goal of the year: Mahmoud Kahraba’s goal for Al Ahly

5. The 2023 National Team of the Year (MEN): Morocco

6. The 2023 National Team of the Year (WOMEN): Nigeria

7. The 2023 Men’s Young Player of the Year award winner: Lamine Camara from Senegal.

8. The 2023 Women’s Young Player of the Year award winner: Nesryne El Chad.

9. Percy Tau of South Africa is the 2023 Men’s Interclub Player of the Year

10. Asisat Oshoala wins CAF Player of the Year (Women)

11. Victor Osimhen wins CAF Player of the Year (men).