Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala wins African Players of the Year Award as Osimhen breaks 24-year Nigeria jinx

• The Sixth record Award for Oshoala

AFRICA-NIGERIA, Dec. 12 – Nigeria Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as well as Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala made Nigeria proud as they both won great at the 2023 CAF Awards, clearing the men and women’s player of the year awards for the country on Monday at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.

It is interesting to mention that, It’s the first time one country is wining in both awards since the history of CAF.

Osimhen was declared the winner of the CAF Player of The Year Award, becoming the second Nigerian to win the the coveted award and first to win  since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999, just as Oshoala claimed a record-extending sixth Women’s Player of The Year as the most successful women’s player in Africa.

In what was described as a brilliant night for Nigeria, Osimhen and Oshoala’s triumphs after Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won the women’s Goalkeeper of The Year, while the Falcons were also named the Women’s Team of The Year.

The only award considered to be an upset for Nigeria on the night was Super Falcons Deborah Abiodun losing out in the Women’s Young Player of The Year award to  Nesryne El Chad who is from Morocco and Lille’s defender. While Metz and Senegalese’s Lamine Camara won the men’s category.

The award which were given base on merits, were decided following the votes by media representatives, coaches and captains of national teams.

On club category award, after winning the CAF Women’s Champions League for their second title in the three years of the competition, Mamelodi Sundowns were named the Women’s Club of The Year, on the other hand, Al Ahly was awarded the men’s category as a reward for winning a record-extending 11th CAF Champions League title  at the end of the season in June.

Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi, presented the Inter Club Player of The Year award to AS FAR’s Fatima Tagnaut.

According to The PUNCH, “The tension in the room was eased with a performance by Uganda sensational dancers, Ghetto Kids, but the pressure soon returned with the announcement of Nigeria as the Women’s National Team of The Year, ahead of WAFCON winners South Africa and Morocco. The award was not unconnected to the Super Falcons sensational run at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“The room became more lively as Morocco was also named the winners of the men’s National Team of The Year for being the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup at the last edition in Qatar 2022.”

The event which recognizes the votes by Fans declared Al Ahly’s Mahmoud Abdelmenem’s goal against Al Hilal  as the Goal of The Year.

Nigeria Super Falcons goalkeeping legend Precious Dede presented the Goalkeeper of The Year (Women) award to Falcons and Paris FC safe hands Chiamaka Nnadozie. She won ahead of Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Morocco’s Yassine Bounou won the men’s category for his exploits with Morocco at the last World Cup as well as his club Sevilla.

But surprisingly, Nnadozie was not among CAF’s Women’s XI as three Super Falcons players — Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala — made the team. In the men’s team, Victor Osimehn, the only Nigerian, joined Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in a three-man attack.

On Women’s coach of The Year award, South Africa’s women’s national team coach Desiree Ellis retained her title, while Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was awarded  the men’s category.