11th December, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen has been named African Player of the Year, defeating Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.
Also, Asisat Oshoala was named the African Player of the year in Women’s football. This is the six time she is winning the award.
President of Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe announced Osimhen and Asisat winners of the awards in the men and women category.
Osimhen won the Serie ‘A’ title with Napoli in Italy, scoring 26 goals.
He single-handedly led Napoli to win the trophy after 30 years. Osimhen also helped Napoli to reach the quarter-final of last season’s Champions League.
He was also the highest goal scorer in the African Cup of Nations qualifier with 10 goals.On the other hand, Oshoala scored several goals when Barcelona Women won the female league in Spain last season.
She was also crucial in captaining the Super Falcons to the Women’s World Cup where they lost narrowly to England on penalty in the round of 16. She also scored a brilliant goal against the host Australia during the tournament.
Oshoala performed excellently for Nigeria at the last Women’s African Nation’s Cup in Morocco.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Nigeria’s goalkeeper scooped the African goalkeeper award in the women’s category, capping a wonderful performance for Nigeria.
Nnadozie has been the golden girl in the Nigerian Women’s team as in several cases saved the Super Falcons from conceding goals. She also excelled at the last Women’s World Cup where she stopped high-scoring England side from scoring against her except during the shootouts.