By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria recorded historic wins at the 2023 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night, December 11.
Asisat Oshoala scooped home her record making sixth Africa Best Player in the women’s category to wrap up a fantastic year she had for club and country, as she sees off competition from, Thembi Kgatlana, and Barbra Banda.
Nigeria prolific forward, Victor Osimhen ended Nigeria’s 24 year wait for the crown of the Africa Best Player Of The Year by winning the illustrious award following his remarkable feat for club and country in the year 2023 by emerging the highest goal scorer in the Serie A, and leading Napoli to their first Scudetto title after 33 years. The towering striker beat, Mohammed Salah and Achraf Hakimi to award.
Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was rewarded for her stellar performance for the year 2023 by winning the CAF Best Goalkeeper Award ahead of Kadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and Andile Dlamini of South Africa. She led the Falcons to the round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with crucial saves and was instrumental to Paris FC reaching the group stage of the 2023 UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time in their history. Nnadozie edged out
The Nigeria women’s national team won the CAF National Team of the year following their superlative performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia where they became the first African team to reach the knockout stage without a defeat at the group stage.
However, Nigeria promising youngster, Deborah Abiodun losses out in the CAF Young Player Of The Year award to Lille star, Nesrye El Chad.
Oshoala ranks top as the only player to win six Africa Best Player Of The Year, while the likes of Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto’o, Perpetual Nkwocha have won four each. Kanu Nwankwo, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah have won the prestigious award twice.
Osimhen on the other hand, joins the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba as the only Nigeria football men’s player to ever win the CAF best player award.
